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."

Revision Tips

The exam period of uni has come around yet again for me. The never ending cycle of assignments, and assessments is draining me to the high heavens. Given the fact I have had 15 years of solid, non-stop schooling is baffling and blowing my mind. The fact I want to add another year onto this to complete my PGCE course has made me think that I have gone stark-raving mad. I have almost had enough of being a student in the education system and feel like I need a break. But for now, I have to continue on with my degree, pass my exams and then start all over again when September comes...

Starting with the first, January exams. So, my first exam is 17th January. I am having some trouble with motivation in order to revise. Given the fact it was Christmas, then I got sick; it is suffice to say that I have not achieved revision godliness this time around. After every exam period is over, the famous last words of "I'm going to start earlier" are always on my lips, and out before I can rein them in with the knowledge that I will not in fact start earlier next time but instead do exactly what I have done for years...

Given my great expertise in exams, I have decided that for today's blog, I will compile a list of things to do to help you revise. They go as follow:

1. Eliminate distractions. This means turn your laptop, TV and phone off to allow yourself complete seclusion. This doesn't always work because the littlest of things can distract you from something you really don't want to do. For example: oh, I must make a snack for brain power. Or, I must check to see if I've gotten an important email regarding said exam... We've all been there, but it's a good starting place.

2. Get all your relevant notes and references out to begin the process. You can't revise if you haven't gotten the relevant material. If you've been organised through the semester, this is an easy and quick step. But if partying and socialising was more appealing than organising your lecture notes, this is going to take a time which will distract you from actually working. Can you see how these all link in together to create a huge excuse to procrastinate?

3. Set goals. The worst part of revising is taking breaks willy nilly. The fact that you can convince yourself that 10 minutes of revising deserves a 40 minute break is rather quite impressive. I always set myself goals to achieve before I can take a break. This generally involves me denying myself of food until I reach said goal. This works perfectly for me because I'm a fatty at heart and the hunger pangs only spur me on to work harder.

4. Keep positive. There's nothing worse than having to do something you don't want to do in a terrible mood. It makes the process a whole lot less appealing and less effective too. Once you have revised, done your exams; you'll feel better knowing you did all you can to achieve. You can only ever do you best.

5. Have a long-term incentive. Usually, for me, this is planning a night out once all my exams are done so that I can get a little bit tipsy, have fun and forget about everything educational. But this could be anything from, a takeaway treat, a trip to the cinema, a long-sleep-all-day-and-don't-get-out-of-bed treat. The main thing is that it makes you want to work and do well.
6. Just do it. There's nothing you can do to stop time- I should know the amount of times I've wished I have had Bernard's watch only to know that it doesn't exist. You might as well just get on with it, get it out of the way and then move on. Simple!

Those are my handy, hopefully helpful tips for surviving and excelling at revision. The more work you put in, the more you'll get out so make that your motto :)

Well, I should really take my own advice and get back to MY revision without any distractions. That means goodbye to my good ol' laptop and hello to 3 trees amount of revision notes. 

No rest for the wicked, eh!

Muchos love,

Nicole 

xxx

Just Giving

I posted a blog a while ago talking about donating my hair to a charity called Pantene Beautiful Lengths. Recently, I have been researching about hair donation and although I wanted to donate my hair to help women with cancer, I found out that the charity was strictly to help American and Canadian women. Despite the fact every woman, all over the world, who is going through cancer treatment and hair loss needs people to be charitable and kind in donating, I wanted to find a charity that helped people a little closer to home.

From this, I further researched if there was a charity that worked for women in the UK, but there wasn't any charity for this; that I could find. On my quest for researching, I came across the charity called Little Princess Trust that provides free wigs for children, both boys and girls, who are going through cancer treatment as well as other conditions, mainly alocepia, in the UK and Ireland.

As a result, I have changed the charity, but have not changed the donation in the slightest. In addition to donating my hair to such an inspiring charity, I have also set up a JustGiving page in order for anyone to donate money to the charity to further assist them in helping children suffering if they wish. Any donation at all is greatly appreciated and I hope that we, together, can bring a child the greatest gift for 2013. 

Appearance is important to all of us, and children have a tough enough time during school finding out who they are and making friends whilst tackling the greatest trials in our life; let alone being bullied for being different. This charity provides real hair wigs to children to allow them to feel like other children- taking away some of their unhappiness, whilst going through some of the worst times that anyone can go through; let alone a child.

I want to make a difference in every way that I can and I hope that from this I can. I've been blessed with good health, fast growing hair and a stable family life; other people aren't so lucky and we need to help them :)

The link for my donation page is: http://www.justgiving.com/Nicole-Ryan

Hair length on 15/12/2012

I am planning to cut my hair next week before I go back to uni and so will look forward to taking pictures for you all, to show you the hair donation as well as my new hair. I hope you come along for my journey and also help me along in making a difference.

Thank you all so much for your support verbally, emotionally or through my donation page; anything is perfect!

Much love as always,
Nicole
xxx

I Contemplated Not Publishing This...

NB: It is now 3:30PM and I am rereading this. I was not going to publish this because I feel like it was a topic that was too close to me, but I want to present my life to you guys via this blog and so don't judge me...

I am writing this blog from my phone in complete darkness at 12:46AM whilst all my family is sound asleep.

I don't aim for this blog to be "pity Nicole" but like every girl (and person) in modern society, I'm feeling more insecure right now that usual. All my life, I've been insecure, shy and lacking in confidence and although over the years I've stopped being so insecure and built together a small reserve of confidence, I still have my moments.

When I get asked what my biggest fear is, I always say the fear of not being good enough. This fear drives me in everything that I do in life. I try harder in everything I do to try and be good enough. And yet even though I have 11 GCSE's grade B and above, 3 A levels (A*A*A) and I'm on my way to getting a 2:1 degree with a place in a teaching course after I graduate; I still don't feel good enough...

I don't know where this stemmed from and I know that lots of people have the same fear but I let it rule my life. I overachieve to make up for my own perception of failure in my life.

I apologise for this, but blogging is personal, showcasing all aspects of my life. And right now, my fear has left me with the insecurities of teenage Nicole. I have the ghosts inside of me that I thought I vanquished a long time ago.

This doesn't help by the fact that I'm in the period of my life where family members question if I have any guys in my life and I can only answer with "I'm working on myself and getting myself where I want to be right now!" And it's not like I NEED a guy, but it draws me back to and feeds my biggest fear of not being good enough for someone.

Maybe I am destined to be a crazy cat lady, alone and unwanted like everyone keeps telling me...

Over and out from an emotional Nicole xxx

Bowling

"Let's bowl, let's bowl; let's rock and roll..."

Tonight, I combined two of my great loves of life: friends and ten pin bowling. I got off to a rocky start, with my nails being a fairly big hindrance to my talent ;) (no excuse at all). I was far too careful about pulling my whole nail off as the ball flew from my hand to go plummeting down the lane to crash against the pins pushing them to the ground.

The God to honest truth? In the first game, I lost.

But not by a fair mile, Hollie and Alice tied first place with 83 and I came a CLOSE second with 80. That's not bad, right? If you're going to lose, you lose with a couple of points between you and first place.

But by golly did I come back with a fighting fever with our second game. I got a strike and spare within my first two bowls, and it just kept getting better and better.

In the second game, I WON!!

To be serious for a second, I love the time I get to spend with my friends that I don't get to see for weeks on end. Whenever we're together, we always end up laughing ridiculous amounts, and coming up with crazy ideas that don't make any sense to anyone else other than us. We're best friends :)

Next time you play bowling, don't put the sides up; it takes away the fun. Also, try to bowl on the opposite hand that is dominant. Mine went straight to a gutterball; oops!

Lots of love,
Nicole
xxx

I Can Write!

I am currently writing this blog instead of doing work/revision for my upcoming exams... Oops.

The truth is, I am taking a break from doing revision and finding journal articles for a second to think about how lucky I am feeling at this moment in time. I have multiple times (far more times than you probably all want to read about) talked about my love of writing, especially stories that I strive so hard to finish. I recently got encouraged to start placing my stories online for others to read, rate and encourage me to continue. The best thing about having like-minded people read your work is that they have a love and passion for writing and will tell you if it's good or not; and if it's not how to improve.

Nevertheless, I have currently got 2 stories on the go that I am trying to finish and at the same time uploading online for people to read and I can't believe that my stories are actually liked by people. I have received multiple comments from people about them and it choked me up to think that I am potentially a good writer in such a tough talent.

However much most of you probably don't find this as exciting as I do, I wanted to share my happiness and the overwhelming feeling of pride from these comments. I never really have been good at anything specific, other than being relatively good at general academic studies and so finding out that my writing could be my talent is extraordinary.

"Another fantastic story!"
"You write so beautifully, that it is so easy to relate to the characters and imagine everything playing out :)"
"This story is so amazing that I would not be surprised if you receive a lot more nice comments and fans who like your work :)"
"The story gets better and better as each chapter passes :)"
"Beautifully done!"

This blog has turned out to be a bit of big headed one, but it's the only thing in my life that I have really gotten complimented on and I couldn't believe that I could write well enough to be complimented at all, never mind by strangers. I apologise for the potential up my own ass'ness but I'm proud of myself. I hope it comes across that way and not that I'm trying to appear better than anyone because I really, honestly don't think I am.

Love to you all,
xxx

Happy New Year!

First and foremost, happy new year everyone. We made it to 2013!!

And secondly, I did it!!

The second of December I set myself the challenge of blogging everyday of the month of December  I even had little faith in myself to complete such a challenge that I had compiled two other challenges beneath the ultimate goal. If you didn't read about this challenge, the link is here to go back and remind yourself of my goals: http://studenttoaspiringwriter.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/on-second-day-of-christmas.html (Don't worry, it opens in a new link!)

The fact of the matter is I did it and now I am the most amazing, awesome person in the whole wide world. 

If I'm completely honest, if I wasn't so hungover, feeling so rubbish right now, I would be dancing around the room like a maniac BUT, I am and so I am going to have a quiet, little victory dance in my seat whilst wincing with the stomach discomfort. Despite the fact I have slight tonsillitis, earache and a persistent cough, I, in true student manner, went out last night and got drunk instead of being at home and taking lots of medicine to make myself better... When will I ever learn to put my own health before partying? Never mind, I had a good night.

What a way to start 2013!!

The best thing about this is that I feel on top of the world; with the ability to do whatever I want. I have it inside of me to set myself a goal and work my butt off to achieve it. So what, people might say... It's only a blog every day for 31 days. But for those that have that mentality, I ask them to set themselves the challenge, or one that is similar, and see how they fare with it.

It's my victory and victory sure does taste sweet.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HAPPY 1ST JANUARY 2013 EVERYONE! 

We made it, and I wish you the very best for the year and hope all your dreams come true, and if they don't; work hard to make them come true :)

As always, I love you all, you beautiful people. Until next time, byeeee :D
xxxx