Gravity Film Review

Today is the last day that marks my year of blogging for a year, and I am bringing you a lovely jubbly film review on the blockbuster Gravity with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. I loved this film and found the eerie silence throughout only added such dimension to the film. I don't know what it's like in space, evidently, but if it is correct the way the film portrayed it, it is scary, beautiful and wonderful  all at the same time.

Although at the start the film appears the be slow and a little bit draggy in terms of nothing really happens, it's one of the best parts simply because it portrays how quiet space is given the fact sound can not pass through air/or lack of air. It also gives a brilliantly beautiful view of the Earth from above that millions of us will never be able to experience first-hand. Me, being the hopeless romantic that I am, thoroughly enjoyed the chemistry between Bullock and Clooney. I am a sucker for a happy ending but that isn't necessarily what this film provides.

What it does provide is action, fear and desolation twisted in a web of wonder, inspiration and hope. There are probably loads of space themed films out there but other than this film, I have never really been that interested in it. I just love the fact that it looks so real. It feels like you're right there with her in the mist of all the fear.

The ending is such an uplifting one and as you watch it, you think you've got it all figured out with its predictability but at the same time, there are little nuggets of gold that make you change your mind about how it might end. I applaud the wonder acting of Sandra Bullock and I've said it loads of times before but she really is a very talent actress that can take on any role and make it completely individual from any other role she's done. I love her in any film and I loved her in this one.

If you haven't seen it, please do go and see it because it is simply brilliance wrapped into an hour and a half . And if you're cool like my sister and I, you'll rock the double glasses for 3D. LOVE IT.

Now on today's agenda is:

11AM: Shopping with my very best friend, Gerri.

1PM: HAIRCUT! Exciting

2:10PM: Hopefully seeing Hunger Games again, what a great friend I am seeing it again for Gerri

And then after that I guess I need to do some work on lesson planning and whatnot... Boooo!

Also let me know what I should do tomorrow to mark the year of me blogging everyday. I haven't yet decided exactly what I want to do so please leave comments below for any suggestions.

I love you all. Thank you so much for coming with me on this wonderfully turbulent adventure. I couldn't have done it without you!

xxx

Favourite Girlies!

The more I see these girls, the better my life gets. I love being with them and having our little journeys in the car. It's so much fun and there's always an uncontrollable giggling fit. Even if I'm dead tired or in a bad mood, they can always make me smile. 

And the best part is that they are some of my oldest friends and I feel so lucky to have them as best friends and have kept them throughout this entire journey.

I know I'm a little bit crazy sometimes and a whole lot annoying but these girls are my carbon copy. Especially my lovely Alice who used to get mixed up with me at school. The amount of times each of us used to get called by the other's name is ridiculous.

And they're so supportive of me and everything I do including this goal to blog everyday. I know I wouldn't have got to this point without their support, encouragement and ideas.

This is basically a really soppy blog saying how much I love them all!! <

Throwback Thursday #15

I haven't done one of these in a while simply because I haven't had the time to look at old pictures to share them with you. I'm hoping that when I do get some free time, I will collect loads so I can start this up again because I really did love sharing with you my history and my memories. Today's Throwback Thursday is going to be a little different because coming up to the year mark of my goal, I was looking back at some of my old blogs and came across this one blog for my expectations of 2013 and I thought I would address how 2013 has gone so far for me according to what I wanted from 2013:

Here was the blog if you want to go back and read it before you read this blog. I'd advise it because I forgot what my expectations were so I think you might've if you were around to read it then: http://nicolespearlsofwisdom.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/expectations-of-2013.html

♥ Finish my story - FAIL

I haven't finished my story, and this makes me incredibly sad. I am a little embarrassed by how much I didn't stick to this plan. I only managed to get to 97,932 words and for some people that would be a big achievement but I know that I could've easily worked my butt off to finish it but I didn't. And I shouldn't take it as a negative because I have written a story that is virtually finished that is almost 100,000 words and so I guess this is a fail because I didn't technically finish it. But in life, it's a pass. 

♥ Say yes - PASS

I did this a lot when I was at uni but also after I left, I made sure that I said yes to a lot of things. I said yes to continuing my studies after I finished uni to become a teacher and I have gained a lot of friends from that. I have said yes to plans that my friends at uni have suggested and it meant that I have formed such close friendships with them. And I have continued to say yes to things I want to do. Bearing in mind, the things I don't want to do, I have also worked on saying no rather than just doing something because I'm too afraid of being honest with other people and myself. I'm definitely going to continue this.

♥ Get a 2:1 degree - PASS

I passed this and I am still amazed at the fact I did. This is one of the biggest achievements I've ever done to date and I'm proud of myself. There's nothing else I can say because I am overwhelmed with joy that I did it.

♥ Be happy - PASS/FAIL

I can't say that I've passed or failed this one completely because I have been incredibly happy at times but at the same time I've been incredibly sad. And now? I feel the exact same, some days I'm incredibly happy and sometimes I'm devastatingly sad. I've had a hard 3 years and my hard times keep on rolling for now and it'd be weird if I said this year was happy because it hasn't be. I've had heartache and heartbreak. If I'm perfectly honest, I can't wait to see the back of 2013, it was meant to be the happier year but it turned out that it was devastating. But at the same time, I have been happy. I've had some brilliant moments and still do; so I class this as a pass and a fail. I'm still trying to make myself more happy than I am sad but it's a working progress.

♥ Be healthy - PASS

I don't eat the best but I know the difference between eating and not eating and I skimmed that line last year around this time. I don't like to admit it but if I had continued on the road that I was travelling on last winter, I would have turned anorexia. But now, I am a healthy weight, my mind is in a healthy way and I have such healthy relationships with my family and friends. Sure, I am moany and sometimes start arguments, but I also have lots of laughs and am always therefore for everyone when they need me. I've got a brilliant group of people around me and I am blessed!

♥ Be the best Nicole I can be - PASS/FAIL

I think if we're talking about being the best Nicole I can be given circumstances, I agree I have passed this. If we are talking about being the best Nicole I can be, period, I will have failed this. I have been up and down all the time for the past 9 months and I still am but I am working on it. And I want to continue working on it, even if that means that I need to talk to someone about the experiences I've been through- I want to be the best Nicole I can be and I think I am on the road to being that person. I just need a little bit further to go! But I'll get there, I know I will...

Teachery

I have decided that today's blog will be a teachery one simply because I am so proud of myself to getting this far and still loving teaching. If you do not want to read about it, I won't hold it against you... MUCH.

But these are the ways I can tell I am becoming a bona fide teacher in the making.

1. When I take the register...

All the children say Good morning/afternoon lovely/beautiful/cheeky Miss Ryan. I even got a Good afternoon beautiful Miss Ryan, I love you. That for me was the pinnacle of becoming a teacher that is liked.

BUT I have to say, I am sad that there are no paper/book registers anymore, it's all done on a computer. LAME.

2. The amount of hugs and compliments.

I can't begin to tell you how many hugs I get a day, and how many times the little girls comment on my pretty dress or how much I am a lovely teacher.

Now, those two are for my own personal love because I want to be an effective teacher but I also want to be liked and accepted. But these next couple of points really does put a smile to my face and a squeeze to my heart.

3. Getting called Mum.

Today, it happened twice and I couldn't hold in my glee when I got called Mum because I know that Mum's are always there to help you when you need it or to make you feel better when you're sad. And all the best teachers get called Mum because in a way you do become their Mum for the time in school. Perhaps it doesn't mean as much as I think it does but I am going to take it as being a relatively good teacher and be done with it.

4. I can finally get silence when I want it.

This one has been a struggle for me because I've been told that I have a soft voice and I am shy so when I have to raise my voice slightly it does scare me. But now, I am becoming more and more confident with telling children to be quiet and I can get the whole class' attention with a mixture of praise and raising my voice. It's an achievement and today I really felt like I can make it as a teacher.

This was a really quick and silly blog because I have a lot of evaluating and planning to do for tomorrow- it's my first day of half day management and I'm a little cared. I get tired after one lesson so we'll see how 2 goes. I'll let you know!

Anyway, I love you all and will talk to you later

xxx 

Christmas Differences

We all celebrate Christmas every year and as we get older, although the premise of Christmas stays the same; Christmas changes a lot as we grow up. When we're a kid, the idea of Father Christmas and his magical journey around the world fills us with such wonder and joy. When we're a teenager, the idea of getting the latest technological toy fills us with such wonder and joy. And now that I'm in my early 20s, the idea of Christmas has changed a little again. The thought of my family growing, and the fact next year, there will be a little baby for us to spread magic on fills me with excitement.

For todays blog, I thought I would explore some of the changes that happen as we get older.

1. You no longer want barbies or the latest toys.

I don't know about you but I never know what I want for Christmas. My family and friends always ask me what I want and the same answer they get every year is "I don't know." The thing is when you et older, you get less picky. You don't feel like you need anything, or at least I don't want anything. And if I do want something, it is never specific or elaborate. I enjoy Christmas because it's a time where we all spend the time together and we do share gifts but the best gift I could ask for, is the gift of thought. 

2. You no longer believe in Father Christmas.

This fact makes me a little sad because I love the thought of a magical Father Christmas and if I could go back and relive the moments where I truly believed he might not come, I would in a heartbeat. It's one of those things that you hold dear to your childish heart and the thought of just buying each other gifts is a lot less exciting than Father christmas. Plus, I miss leaving out cookies, milk and a carrot for Father Christmas. But I look forward to doing all that with my nieces and nephews as well as my own children when the come along.

3. You no longer say no to eating all your vegetables.

This may just be me because I'm weird but I really love vegetables and vegetables are one of my favourite things about Christmas dinner. I used to hate every single food there ever was as a child because I was so fussy, and even to this day I will say no to certain food but I've certainly got better at eating. I'm not really that fussed about food but I love Christmas dinner- from all the vegetables, the roast potatoes and to the pigs in blankets (sausages wrapped in bacon). I love it. Children pick and choose what to eat and end up running around eating chocolate more than the actually dinner but adults end up eating more of their roast.

4. You get bored by the end of the day.

As children, you never ever want Christmas day to end simply because you are having so much fun with playing with your toys and family members. But as an adult, you know when enough is enough and that is generally after you're all full, tired and a little bit annoyed with how much family time you've had. That isn't to say that you don't love your family but it's a lot harder to spent hours on end with family as you get older and more opinionated than it is when you're younger. There definitely should be a time limit on when everyone should go home from your house on Christmas.

But there are some things that stay the same from when you're a child:

1. You always have to have an advent calendar to count down those 25 days before Christmas.

It's tradition and just because you're over the age of 16, doesn't mean that your Mum or Dad can skip out on buying you one. Plus it's a bona fide reason for you to eat chocolate every day. What could be better?

2. You wake up really early.

You can't help but have your body clock wake you up early on Christmas. And if you're really a child in an adult's body, you won't have been able to sleep the night before. Even though you know your parents buy you presents and there is no magical Father Christmas, there is still that excitement in your tummy knowing that it's Christmas the next day. I don't know what it is, but I hope that feeling never goes because it is what makes Christmas such a special time of the year.

3. You want to decorate the house and tree.

You are never too old to help your Mum decorate the tree and tell her where to put things in the house. And if you've moved out, I can guarantee you that you get excited at the thought of everything you could buy to decorate your house. I remember when I was at uni, Charlotte and I would take a whole day out to buy decorations to decorate our house and I loved it. It is that build up that helps to put you in the Christmas spirit and dare any of you to defy the tradition of decorating the house/tree this year.

It's almost Christmas and I can't wait. I can't believe how quickly November has sped by and how close Christmas is now. It's insane and it's true when adults say to children to savour their time now because time flies as you get older!

How's your Tuesday coming along? Have I added a little Christmassy spirit into your day? I hope so!

xxx

Motivational Monday #31

GOOD MORNING MONDAY!

I'm in a very good mood today and that's because yesterday, I felt my little niece or nephew that is currently cooking in my sister's belly kick and it made me realise how real the baby is. That might sound really weird to people but it is a little unrealistic thinking about a baby in a tummy but feeling it, you know it's there and it's living. It's crazy. And so exciting and it made me so happy.

In order to try and keep my happiness for a while longer, I have decided to give myself a little motivation today and whenever someone says something positive about me, I am going to write it down at the front of my book because I focus too much on the negatives. It's a sort of therapy idea and I thought it would make me put life into perspective. Because we can remember so many negative comments about ourselves and forget the positives. 

If you find yourself having a positive comment said to you and you hang on to it until that negative or constructive criticism is told to you, you disbelieve the positive comment and never think of it again, try doing this exercise. I think it will help and I am hoping it will help me because I'm sick of feeling negative and not feeling good enough when I get negative comments even though I've had so many positive comments on the same thing. I think the perfectionist inside of me just makes me feel horrible whenever I realise that I haven't done something quite right.

Remember your positive comments and don't just dwell on the negative comments because they are by far in the minority of all the comments you receive and will receive. 

POSITIVE BREEDS POSITIVE!

Be positive and be happy! 

I love you all.

xxx

ALSO, IT'S A MONTH UNTIL CHRISTMAS AND 5 DAYS UNTIL MY YEAR OF BLOGGING EVERYDAY IS COMPLETE!!

For more Motivational Mondays, see below!

Motivational Monday #1
Motivational Monday #2
Motivational Monday #3
Motivational Monday #4
Motivational Monday #5
Motivational Monday #6
Motivational Monday #7
Motivational Monday #8
Motivational Monday #9
Motivational Monday #10
Motivational Monday #11
Motivational Monday #12
Motivational Monday #13
Motivational Monday #14
Motivational Monday #15
Motivational Monday #16
Motivational Monday #17
Motivational Monday #18
Motivational Monday #19
Motivational Monday #20
Motivational Monday #21

Motivational Monday #22
Motivational Monday #23
Motivational Monday #24
Motivational Monday #25
Motivational Monday #26
Motivational Monday #27
Motivational Monday #28
Motivational Monday #29
Motivational Monday #30

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Movie Review

This title might possibly be the longest one I have ever had... On Friday night, I went to see The Hunger Games and was very excited. To start this review off, I wanted to address my disappointments with the books when I read them. The first book was brilliant, the second mediocre and the third, quite frankly was a little rubbish. I think the problem was that it was difficult for the author to slow down the descriptions to really give the reader a sense of what was going on. BUT the movie made up for all the feelings of let down that I had about the books.

The film has been highly awaited from all fans of the first film and I think that the fans are not going to be disappointed when they see it. The film tackles the idea of raw survival instincts as well as the repression that is felt by people who have a higher sense of power than the rest of us. It tackles the ideas of corruption and revolution in a way that is exciting and thrilling.

I loved the first film and knew that if anyone could portray Katniss well, it would be Jennifer Lawrence and I wasn't wrong. She is such a great actress with such effortless acting that she can bring to life any small emotion. She has such a strong presence that she provides every female with a heroine that they can aspire to be like. She shows courage and bravery whilst still showing how much she cares and risks her life for others.

 I think the plot of the movie is extremely perfect for the big screen and everything came to life brilliantly. It felt like you were in the midst of the Quarter Quell with the fear racing through you as each twist and turn revelled itself. It gives you just the right amount of disturbing thoughts coupled with the excitement who might survive and who might be killed. I jumped a couple of times through the surprises that were put in it.

The Hunger Games is not just your typical film with violence in it, nor is it your typical teen film or your typical romance. They are all equally interwoven to provide a feast for each and every eye that watches it. The acting is brilliant and along with the effects that are awesome and realistic, the film can't go far wrong from being amazing. Also, you wait on tenderhooks to find out what will happen to the love triangle between Katniss, Gale and Peeta... Who's your favourite love interest for our lovely Katniss?

Unfortunately, it does leave you crawling out of the cinema in a little bit of a huff because you want it to continue on and tell you the rest of the story. But it wouldn't be a money-making blockbuster if it didn't end on cliffhanger so that you can begging for more when the next film comes out. I am definitely going to be seeing the next two films that will be coming out and eagerly await how they turn the last book, which disappointed me, into a film. I hope it doesn't let me down!

If you are wanting to see it, or are in two minds about whether you should see it or not, I highly recommend and hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!!

Definitely worth the money that I spent to go see it. Let me know what you thought of it if you've seen it. Did you love it? Hate it? Find it averagely mediocre for a big budget film? OR do you really not give a damn? Please, leave a comment below to let me know.

I love you all.

xxx

P.S:

Don't Neglect

Recently, I've been having bad days and I realise it's because I have been too occupied with all the work I need to do and all the responsibility/pressure I've put on myself.

I've been neglecting myself on the days when I'm sad. Instead of trying to make myself happy again, I've been pushing aside my feelings to carry on with what work needs to be done.

Therefore, today I have been reading. I bought a book and made sure that today was my day of taking care of me. It was my "don't neglect yourself" day and if any of you are having a bad time at the moment; I highly recommend you doing the same.

Just make sure you put yourself first, I haven't always but I know I need to to be happy.

Tomorrow, look out for my review on Hunger Games: Catching Fire :)

I love you all. Only a week to go before I reach my goal!!

xxx

Successful Blood Donation

As many of you probably know, last time I tried to give blood, my veins didn't let any blood come out and so I couldn't donate. I was so sad and after having 5 different nurses wiggle this thick needle around in my arm, I was ready to cry too!!

But thankfully, yesterday, my iron levels were fine AND they drew blood from my right arm so no unfortunate events of no donating. It feels so good to donate and I love every second of it. I also watvhed my blood fill the bag up and I loved it. Yes, I'm a little bit of a sicko.

I just like helping and giving blood makes me feel useful, like I have a purpose. Last night, I came home and straight away booked an appointment for my Dad and I to go give blood together in March. It'll be his first time so I'm excited to see how he feels after his first donation.

I beg any of you that can to please give blood because it does save lives and it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling :D

I'm off to see Hunger Games tonight and I can't wait!!

Cheerio poppets,

LOVE YOUUU

xxx

Happy Birthday Hollie

It's that time of year again when my friend Hollie is that little bit older. I just wanted to say a massive happy birthday to her, old girl!!

Have a super duper amazing day and make sure that you eat a lot of cake because it's a tradition to eat as much cake as it takes to make you pop. Also have a lovely alcoholic beverage on me. I can't have one as well because I'm giving blood today and I don't want my blood to be drunk.

I can't wait to see you tomorrow my beauty!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Love you lots!

xxx

Observed!

Yesterday I was observed by my university tutor and I was so scared. I had planned a whole hour lesson on time and had thought very carefully about the activities that I wanted to do and what I would say in order to clear. I was so nervous on Sunday night and didn't sleep at all even though I wasn't being observed until Tuesday. The lack of sleep on Monday put me in a vile mood and I couldn't find a way to stop myself from being in a bad mood. It didn't help my planning and worry for Tuesday. 

But I walked in yesterday with everything planned and thought, this is it; I'll give it my best shot. Anything that is negative will only be used to make me better. I don't need to be perfect. I do get annoyed when I am not perfect because I just want to do everything well. It does frustrate me a lot when I'm not. But I can't hold that against myself because being perfect is impossible.

I just tried to forget about the woman sitting at the back observing me and focusing on making sure that the children I was teaching understood exactly what I was teaching. After a while, I forgot all about being observed and did my thing. I found it relieving once the main input had been and gone because I knew I only had 6 children to teach for the rest of the lesson. Things didn't go perfectly and I found a lot of things that I wasn't happy with.

BUT, she said that I did really well and that I was definitely in the right profession to be a teacher. Her first comment was that I was a friendly and confident teacher and that made me smile. I am glad that I didn't't completely bomb. And the few negative comments I had was about making sure my voice matches my teacher role. Apparently, my voice is too soft so I need to work on that. And I also need to work on making sure every child is listening to me before I start talking. I end up panicking and talking just to hope they'll all settle down. 

Maybe I was born to teach...

I have a lot more weeks to refine my teaching style but she said that I was doing well and I only hope that I get better and better the more I teach. I'm going to think positively because if I didn't fail on my first observation, I'm doing something right!!

And now I can breathe and continue teaching without all the stress.

Also, we've finally hit the 10 countdown mark. How exciting. It is just around the corner and I'm so excited!!

xxx

Must See Films

It seems like there are a lot of films that I want to see in the cinema at the moment or that are coming into the cinema in the next couple of weeks. I thought for today, I would share with you some of the films that I want to see:

1. Thor: The Dark World

I saw the first Thor and absolutely love it. It helps that Chris Hemsworth is a total hunk and makes any acting pleasurable. But his acting is as hunky as the way he looks. I have high hopes for this film and just hope that I get to see this film in the cinema before it goes out of it. So, if any of you are looking for a cinema partner, please let me know because I'm dying to see it. I was going to go and see it with my sister on the weekend but I had previous plans :( Nevermind, if I don't get to see it in the cinema, I will definitely buy the DVD.

2. The Hunger Games

I'm looking forward to this because I'm actually going to see it on Friday with my girls! I have read the books and seen the first film. If I'm being honest, and I always try to be honest with you guys, I loved both the first film and book but the second and third book kind of sucked for me. I think part of the reason I didn't like the second and third book as much is because it was too fast paced and the descriptions were not in depth enough. I'm hoping that the premise translates a lot better on screen and they slow down the action so that you can really appreciate what is going on. Make sure you stay tuned for my review of this film on Saturday!

3. Gravity

This is not usually my type of film that I go to the cinema for, but I generally choose it to watch on TV. But for some reason, this has really grabbed my attention and now I want to see whether it is good as what I think it might be. I love the acting of Sandra Bullock and so I'm pretty sure it will be good but the whole premise of being lost in space kind of freaks me out. Anything about space and why we're here freaks me out so I generally don't think about it. This film would bring all those fears to the forefront but I think it'd be amazing whilst doing so. Has anyone seen this? Is it good?

Okay, maybe a lied a little; it is only 3 films that I want to see at the moment. BUT considering I haven't wanted to see anything since Despicable Me 2 came out in the summer, I'd say 3 (well 4 because I wanted to see Captain Phillips that I went to see last week) is quite a lot of films to see at one time!

If I actually go and see any of these films, make sure you watch out for the review that will surely come afterwards!

Have a brill Tuesday! I'm being observed today... EEK. I'll be sure to tell you how it all went in tomorrow's blog!

xxx