Farewell, 26.

Tomorrow it is my 27th birthday. At first I was a little bummed out. Not because it's my birthday! Heavens, no. I love birthday's... I mean, hello? Presents! Any excuse for presents in my eyes. And it's NOT the thought that counts. OK, it is, but psh!

I was bummed because I was still in the mindset that life is kind of getting away from me - I always get older and I think 'another year gone and what do I have to show for it?'

This year I'm kind of content with letting my 26th year pass by, and excited to enter into the 27th. It might sound stupid, but I realised only this morning that this year has been amazing for me. I have celebrated my 3rd year anniversary with my boyfriend, finished my 2nd year of uni, written a novel, for God's sake (though I still have my work cut out for me on that one) and decided what I'm doing with my life. I have the best friends - who, granted, I need to make more time in my life for because I'm useless at time management - and generally I feel like I'm finally where I need to be.

Still - I'm technically supposed to be an adult and how am I spending my birthday? Eating my face off with chinese food and watching as many Harry Potter films that I can fit into one viewing. Which will mostly be 2, as it's hard to get the 3rd one in and NOT fall asleep.. but this be Harry Potter weekend, and I'll pretend I'm still 17 and everything is OK.

Well - that's it from me. Now I have to continue living in hope of finishing Othello tonight whilst fitting in the baking of 2 cakes. My head is already pounding from the stress. Why do I do this to myself?

Sam

Oh dear, there's a rabbit in the garden...

My garden backs onto fields upon fields and we have a large rabbit population around here. And I mean LARGE. I can drive home at midnight and the road is crawling with night-grass-eating bunnies. Like ninja bunnies! My Dad is a huge Bunny-Nazi. He doesn't like them coming into the garden. I don't know why... something about how they dig around, but we aren't 'pretty-garden' people anyway, so I don't know why it matters. I think it's just a male pride thing.

Anyway, I just looked outside and unfortunately for him, his millionth attempt to bunny-proof the garden has failed. (As seen here) (excuse the washing hung out and look at the TINY bunny!).

I haven't had the heart to tell him it's there yet. Maybe I won't! 

In other news, I just finished my LAST essay for this year. I am about to finish my last assignment for creative writing and thus ends my 2nd year of uni. (Bar the exam). 

Crazy times! 

I've been back foreverrrr!

I was going to do a blog post when I got back from Barcelona... but then I didn't! So... Yep! Sorry!

Today's blog post comes courtesy of my final English Lit essay, and my procrastinating from doing it. Consistent 'til the end! It's a tough one, and I can't be bothered actually doing it because a. It's sunny outside and I don't wanna be in here typing. and b. Well, considering I'm probably going to fail my exam in June, the stupid part of my brain is telling me not to bother. I won't listen to it, of course, but it's doing a good job of delaying my progress. Stupid brain!

So, Barcelona - it was GREAT! loved it. I would go again and again and you know what? The flight wasn't even that bad! I was a trooper. I mean, yes, I did have to close my eyes a lot and tell my friend that I wasn't to be spoken to because I was 'pretending I'm not here', but apart from that I did good, kid!
I am going to get pictures up at some point, as I have a few good ones, so stay tuned.

I have nothing else to really say - I am just kind of loving the fact that this years uni is almost over as it's been tough, whilst simultaneously dreading the impending end as with it brings my 3 hour long exam, which I am terrified of because I don't do well in exams. When panicked I find I actually can't read questions, or anything. And I can't not panic. I can pretend I'm not panicking, but that's literally just an external perk, as the internal workings of my brain will never cease!

The only thing that is keeping me going is knowing when this month is over I can crack on with the novel, as well as look forward to next years courses as I have picked 2 without exams. I'm clever like that!

So, Eurovision this weekend - who's watching? Who are you backing? I have only seen one of the songs so far, and it is those old ladies from Russia, so in all of my non-research, I'm going to back them to win. Who doesn't like old women singing?!

Sam

Barceloooonaaaaaa (it was the first night that we met).

This is why everyone on the plane to Barcelona on Friday will hate me.
Yes, you heard correctly. I am flying to Barcelona for a few days on Friday afternoon. Never been... not sure what to expect. Not really in a holiday mood, if you can believe it! Most people go on holiday to get away from real life obligations. But it's those real life obligations that are making me NOT want to go away! I'm a backwards gal!

So, on Friday I will be doing my best impersonations of Freddie Mercury whilst simultaneously crapping myself (figuratively) because I'm scared of flying and all that jazz. Why can't we teleport? Huh? I mean... it's got to be possible. We are living in the future! I just thought about that last sentence then and my mind boggled itself. Imagine if we did live in the future... then it wouldn't be the future... it would be the present.... so the future isn't a real place? Mind officially blown.

God, you know it's bad when you start to rant to yourself (because that's what blogging really is).

I should be doing work. Instead I'll just let you know I went to see Avengers last night. I enjoyed it, bar a few stupid things. It was really long too.... And how come the men in it are so... ripped? It's unfair to make real people like me expect that men like that really exist. I mean. I'm not in the market for any men, but I'd still like to see those muscles walk past me every now and again, ya know?



Sam

ps. Mark Ruffalo is my ultimate favorite Hulk. Look at his adorable face!

Cupcakes are SO last season.

Everyone is always raving about cupcakes. I'm an avid baker and I love making cupcakes, but it's SO popular right now I find it annoying. (What? So I hate band wagons - who doesn't?)

I'm making a call people. I'm going to tell you what the next 'big' thing is going to be in baking. People will be opening shops and I am calling it right now.

Pies. Yes. Pies. But not savoury... sweet. You know, like, totally American! 

Because unlike cupcakes, making pies (and most importantly pastry) deems actual baking prowness! I've been baking a few years and I'm still trying to perfect my crust, though I've come on leaps and bounds recently (without the cheating tool of the KitchenAid).

Here are so uber cool pies I love to make:

A good Cherry Pie:


Pumpkin Pie (don't know it until you've tried it)



Key Lime Pie:



Grasshopper Pie:



Boston Cream Pie:



Peanut Butter Pie:



Believe me, in a year or something you'll be queueing up to buy a slice and I'll be here... no richer. But probably fatter.

You're welcome!

That's not ALL I can do.

I always blowg about my uselessness, my writing failures and boring life assessments. But that's not ALL I can do, god-damn. But I suppose I do it so well, why venture away? Why stop when the going can't get any worse?!

So, recently I went to Harrogate. I also recently (as in, when I was there) decided that one day in the near future I really want to move there. So here is a list of my reasons why.

When I want to go to HMV, or any other kind of 'city' shop I have to get the bummy (just came up with this adjective, hollaaaa) train into Manchester (which I Do love) and wander around all over the place like a pinball on speed to try to get to all the shops I need, which are so lovingly placed as far apart as possible, before I need to get the ruddy train home. Harrogate on the other hand... it's all the charm of a small town (with no stresses of city living) with all the best shops right THERE. Now, I must list the shops that are there so you can understand:

Hoopers
Hotel Chocolat (erm, yes please!)
2 (yes 2) cupcake shops!
TK MAXX
HMV
Starbucks
Costa
H'n'M
Top Shop
Dorothy Perkins
River Island
Primark
Kath Kidston
Marks and Spencers
WH Smiths

Plus more I've probably forgotten. All one one street!

There are old people as far as the eye can see. I love old people, me. The more old people there are, the less young people there are. Which is perfect! Also, it's also proving very helpful when looking at properties... a very high turn over of houses and flats... strange...

The Greens and Valley Gardens are amazing. Seriously. The gardens are probably the best gardens ever. You can just sit there all day and play with all the dogs that run up to you - because they do. There are a lot of dogs on the run and for someone like myself who loves dogs it's kind of like heaven!

The old houses are amazing - the architecture in general is lovely, and the old stone houses make you feel like you could be back in time. Not this stinking 21st century we've someone stopped our DeLorean in.

The McDonlands is 24 hour for most of the week. Now. I don't often do Maccy D's, but it's my boyfriends most FAVE food... wait... I'm not sure if this is such a good idea. I might have to start a movement to get it closed down.

It's far enough away from Manchester to mean people I know can only come and visit via careful planning and timing. I'm not being mean, I just really love the idea of not having to answer to any one else's plans... at least for a little while. I'm from a big family - I never get time to myself!

The hills are very... hilly. I mean, god damned steep! I'm not kidding. My fitness has come on leaps and bounds in the past year but I couldn't walk up some of the hills without having to stop and catch my breath. It was an embarrasement every time the old people stomped past me without even breaking a sweat! So my fitness would improve much more! haha!

Finally - It's got a blues bar for sobbing out loud! I haven't been, but any town with it's own blues bar has me sold. Now... someone give me money so I can buy a house there! Please?!


Sam

I'm glad I don't 'Shine' - and other thoughts on The Shining

Just watching The Shining. Wanted to do a quick blog. How is this little kid SO good at acting? How is this movie SO terrifying? I haven't gotten to the scary part yet (in my eyes this is the snowy maze scene), and don't think I will.... I'm going to have dreams of being chased... again... I always have dreams I'm being chased, but the ones tonight are going to be extra special!

Do YOU like the shining? Tell me your thoughts!