busy... happy...

I haven't checked, but it seems to me that every post at the moment starts with ''apologies for not blogging recently''. I could be wrong, but it feels that way.

Truthfully, I haven't been blogging because I've been busy living and loving university.The whole idea of enjoying uni is a strange concept to me, but I'm going with it because to be honest, it's fun. Next week is reading week and while I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a bit strange because I get to see some friends on Saturday at Sophie's bonfire party. I don't think I've let myself think about the fact that everybody is scattered all over the country now.

Here's what I've been up to recently...

Top to bottom, left to right:

1. I've been very much enjoying autumn and all of the wonderful colours that come with it. I even braved this colour lipstick to uni.
2. My first Topshop nail polish purchases, Gypsy Night and Brazil. The fact that I have Fridays off is very dangerous for my shopping habits.
3. Came home (from shopping...ahem...) on Friday to find this sitting on the mat in the hallway. As expected, Loreen's debut album is incredible.
4. I've really been loving the moments where I'm on a train and this song comes on. There are few things as wonderful as drifting into your own little world, listening to this, surrounded by falling leaves.
5. Commuting. I am pretty much an expert regarding East Coast trains right now.
6. Last Sunday (the fact that it's a week ago now really makes me sad), Poppy and I went to see Mark Watson live in Sheffield. Mark is one of my favourite comedians and also happens to be a brilliant author. We met him after his show and he signed my books. I really do recommend that you look him up because the show was hilarious and he's also lovely. Win-win.
7. My first assignments were due in last week and the week before. How fun.
8. Saturday 13th was my sort-of-cousin's 18th birthday party. I'm not sure I like the fact that everybody's growing up now.
9. This is what the inside of a Hebrew textbook looks like, just in case any of you were wondering. I finally got this in class last Monday and it's so exciting. I love our Hebrew class - there are only 8 of us and we have two hours together every Monday where we ask each other awkward questions in Hebrew and tell random stories in our five minute break.
10. It snowed here in the early hours of Saturday morning... as in... actual snow... in October. I assume this is one of the many disadvantages to living ''up north'', except I've never lived ''down south'' so I can't really compare.

I hope everybody in the blogging world is well. I do hope to be back soon with something a bit more interesting, but we'll have to see how busy I am. I bought some crafting goodies in Hobbycraft this afternoon and I have two projects lined up, so I might write something on those up if they go well ;-)

SOTD is Keane - On the Road. It makes me happy every morning when I'm on the bus (bleh) and that's good enough to want to share it with you all. Hope you enjoy :-)

Thanks for reading,

Rx

settled

So, it's been a while since I last posted. I started university a month ago and I only have the time to write today because I've had to take the day off ill. I don't know if it's 'freshers' flu' or just 'flu' but I feel like rubbish and I've almost completely lost my voice... Not the best thing to happen when you have two assignments due in within the next week... But never mind.

I've been intending to do this post for a while now, but I wanted to wait until I felt that I could write it honestly and have enough to say.

I started uni on the 17th and had a week of intro meetings before actual lectures started on the 24th. I'm only in 4 days a week, with 6 hours straight on a Monday (and if you're thinking ''that's awful!" I've heard it all before), 1 hour on a Tuesday and Wednesday and 4 hours on a Thursday. I didn't move out, so my commute takes about an hour and a half. Whenever I tell people this they look at me like I'm mad but I honestly couldn't have coped with moving out so I'm happy with the commute and I actually don't mind it that much at all.

My degree is joint honours BA Spanish and Linguistics, and because at my university you get spare credits to choose electives from any department, I also have modules in Beginner's Modern Hebrew and Icelandic Language and Culture. So far, I'm enjoying my course although the workload is a bit difficult to manage when so much is supposed to be done at home. On a Monday when I have 6 hours straight of lectures, I get home at 7pm and it's just impossible to then dedicate time to doing more work. I still don't regret choosing to stay at home, though. I am also looking forward to reading week, ha!

Socially, university is miles ahead of college. It's actually nice being able to leave my house, go to uni and come home without seeing people who know much about me. I was worried that I'd struggle with the social aspect of it, and not moving out certainly made me feel a little more lonely in the first two weeks when everybody else seemed to know people and I didn't.

I think since starting university I've learnt a lot, but I think the quote above is true. It's easy to feel judged and to judge other people in the first few weeks of something new, but it's also important to remember that everybody else is feeling the same way and while you're worrying about people not liking you or finding you weird, everybody else will be too.

I'm aware this is getting a little long, so I'll wrap things up now. Overall, I really think I've started to settle in and enjoy it. I've got through almost a month without hating anything, being upset or wanting to leave, so already it's going better than college did.

If you started university this September too, I hope it's going well for you all too :)

Thanks for reading,

R x

P.S. Do you like the new design? ;)

birthday shopping

Apologies for how long it has taken me to get this posted, I properly started uni on Monday and I've only just found time to actually sit down and write this.

My birthday was on the 18th and I turned 19. So far, I prefer it to 18 - mainly because there's no drama this year. My mum and I went shopping on my actual birthday as I didn't have to be at uni that day and I thought I'd show those of you who are beauty-minded a few things that I bought with my birthday money...

Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Beguile
I seem to have lost my mind slightly in recent months. With the exception of nail polishes, I never used to like glitter. Now, if it sparkles I'll probably buy it. The glittery pigments were all extremely pretty, but this one was 'plain' enough for me to know that I'll use it on a regular basis. This looks lovely just patted over eyeshadow and unlike some glittery eyeshadows (UD Sidecar, I'm looking at you) it doesn't end up all over your face.

MAC Cremesheen lipstick in Creme Cup
Here's a little story for you... I bought Hue (also by MAC) for college prom and while I do love the colour, it is occasionally slightly too light on my lips and the formula is a bit...meh. To me, Creme Cup is a slightly more pink version of Hue, and the formulation is tons better. I also noticed that it stays on my lips for several hours, which is incredibly rare with me.

Nails Inc 'Nail Jewellery' nail polish in Diamond Arcade
You know what I said about glitter? Yeah, you see it now, right? The photo doesn't really do it justice, but this polish comprises of differently shaped pieces of glitter. I tried to take a photo of it over a plain white polish, but that photo doesn't do it justice either...

I suppose you can kind of see the difference in the pieces of glitter. Those nails looked much prettier in 'real life'. But even though it's a real pain to photograph, this polish is still absolutely gorgeous and perfect if you love a good glitter polish. The wear was decent (I'd say about 5 days before it started to look like I needed to either re-do it or change it completely) but that was without a top coat.

So, they were just a couple of purchases that I thought I'd share. I had a nice, low-key birthday this year, which was definitely necessary during a week of rushing between meetings and making new friends/acquaintances.

SOTD is Daughtry's 'Start of Something Good'.

Hope you're all having a good week :)

Rx



P.S. Jess did the coffee talk tag, go and read it here :)

coffee talk

Hi guys :) I'm back after a long week of commuting and fairly dull 'induction meetings' with a cute little tag - the 'coffee talk tag'. I was tagged by the lovely Gabriella of Love From Londres, whose blog is one of my favourites. The tag itself is all about autumn (or fall, depending on where you're from), so without further ado here's the tag :)

1. It's finally autumn, what are you most looking forward to in this season?
All of the colours - autumn is without doubt the best season for being able to step outside and be mesmerised by the colours of the trees etc. I'm also looking forward to the whole ''it's cold and rainy so I'm going to snuggle in bed even though it's only 7pm'' thing.

2. Which autumn item in your closet are you most looking forward to pulling out?
Because we don't really have a summer here, my clothing hasn't really changed from winter until now. I'm looking forward to wearing my beautiful new boots from Zara more. 

3. Since Halloween is the first holiday to celebrate, we all get treated with a horror movie marathon all month long. What is your favourite scary movie to watch?
I really hate horror films (though obviously if you love them then that's totally cool). I just can't understand why people would want to be scared. The closest I've ever got to a horror film is Pan's Labyrinth. Sad, but true.

4. What is your favourite autumn treat?
Since I rarely drink coffee during the summer months, a grande caramel macchiato from Starbucks. That, and my hot buttered rum shower gel by Philosophy. 

5. Now that summer is finally over, what will you miss about it?
As dull as it may sound, the hours of daylight. Now that I'm commuting, 3 hours of my day are spent walking, on the train or on the bus, and the other hours will often be spent at uni. I can just tell that I'm going to miss the amount of daylight we get during the summer as I always feel it makes the days seem longer.

6. Which make-up/beauty products do you love for autumn?
Without a doubt my Nails Inc polish in Madison Avenue. I believe it's been discontinued now, but it might be available on Ebay. It's basically just the most gorgeous deep forest green and is the perfect autumn shade for me.

7. What have you recently bought in preparation for the autumn season?
The Zara boots I mentioned and, because I'm in the UK, an umbrella. Ha.

8. Have you ever been trick or treating?
Yes :) I was usually a witch (in fact, I think I was only ever a witch) and the last time I went was when I was in year 8.

9. Name the first 5 things that come to mind when you think of autumn...
Leaves (a bit obvious)
Lamps (to make the room all cosy)
Edinburgh (I went to Edinburgh last October)
Josh Groban (such an autumn/winter musician, his music always starts the transition to winter)
Stand-up comedy (it's become something of a tradition for me to see live comedy in autumn/early winter and it isn't the same without it [this year is Mark Watson with Poppy :D])

10. What is your favourite season and why?
Summer (when we have a decent one) or autumn. I really don't like winter, and our spring is often just the same as winter.

Once again, I tag Jess and Beckie :) But do feel free to do it yourself and leave me a link in the comments :)

Thanks for reading :)

Rx

onwards and upwards

I can't be the only person who still watches Pooh Bear...

I wish I had a good excuse for my blogging absence, but I'm afraid I haven't. After all of the pre and post results day hype, I've mainly just been buying a wardrobe and a desk (woo!) and finding that time has passed far too quickly for my liking.

On Friday, I went over to my friend Sophie's house to drop something off. She moved to uni on Saturday and the whole thing really got me thinking...

It's sad that everybody is going their separate ways. When we left school we all believed that we were, but now it's actually true. I read the quote in the picture a few days ago on Tumblr (yes, I track the Winnie the Pooh tag, what of it...?) and it definitely appeared at the right time. Yes, it's sad, but it's also exciting. What sort of friend would I be if I put my own sadness and anxiety over the fact that my friends (and myself) are all moving away to achieve something that their hearts were set on months, if not years, ago? I think my answer is 'not a very good one'. 

But truthfully, I am lucky. I'm lucky to have both friends who are moving away and friends who are staying exactly where they've always been. I'm lucky that I don't have to move away from it all myself (and I'm not even thinking about my year abroad so we're forgetting about that for now...)

Tomorrow is my 'first' day at uni. I put that in quote marks because the term officially starts next Monday, but I have three induction meetings this week. Quite frankly, I'm terrified. My anxiety levels are ridiculously high just thinking about the commute there and back and I'm worrying that I won't recognise the people I've arranged to meet before the meeting. I'm even wearing my 'hola' necklace so that people can spot me, but I suppose that has practical advantages so I can let that one go. 

L to R: Jess, Poppy, me, Sophie and Billie. Love them all.

I'm also lucky that I got to see most of my friends before they move (I say that, but Jess and Poppy [the two on the left] aren't moving away, which pleases me immensely). It's my birthday on Tuesday (the 18th) but we got together on the 8th before people moved away for Mexican food (and a surprise birthday cocktail courtesy of Chiquito). As basic as this sounds, people are good, and when you meet the right ones then you'll know that you want them to stick around and you'll try your hardest to make sure they want you to too. 

So, this week? I'm at a Spanish meeting tomorrow where I'll be meeting one of my fellow Eurovision nerds from Twitter (if you read this, hola Jack!), shopping with mi madre on my birthday, meeting some linguistic nerds at the linguistics meeting and seeing Jess for a catch up on Wednesday, going to another Spanish meeting on Thursday and then seeing Fern (and I think Eliza?) on Friday. And then presumably sleeping all day Saturday because I'll be exhausted.

Today's SOTD is Lemar - Invincible. I watched some show on ITV and he was featured, and it reminded me that I'd been meaning to download the song.

Hope you all have a good week, particularly if you're also all nervy about starting uni!

Thanks for reading,

Rx

own your words

There literally is not a day that goes by without something on my Facebook news feed angering me, and I bet a lot of you feel the same way. The internet is now arguably the biggest form of communication for people my age, which also means that it is the biggest platform for expressing opinions. I don't have an issue with that when opinions are expressed respectfully, but here's why I had an issue tonight...

A 'friend' (by which I mean somebody who I am 'friends' with only in order to be polite) liked a photo that was a screenshot of a conversation between two people. One of them had posted it in order to humiliate the other, an objective that she mainly achieved. Over 400 people also liked this photo and joined in with the denigration of a school girl. Granted, the school girl had made a comment on something else that the poster had taken offensively, but that isn't the point. If somebody offends or upsets you, you have two choices: you can act like a grown-up, or you can act like a small child. Too many people opt for the latter choice, it seems. But we'll come back to that.

According to Beatbullying, in 2006 69% of children in the UK reported being bullied, 87% of parents reported that their child had been bullied in the past 12 months, 20% reported bullying others, and 85% had witnessed bullying (with 82% trying to intervene). Just imagine how much those figures could have risen between then and now. Twitter, Tumblr and other sites (e.g. Formspring) have become much more popular, bringing with them a whole host of new problems. Furthermore, according to the Telegraph in November last year, a third of teenagers have now been affected by cyber-bullying.

It's a third too many.

I think it's fair to say that most of the people joining in with the bullying of this girl via a Facebook photo did not comment with the intention of being labelled as bullies. I genuinely don't think that the majority of bullying occurs because people want to earn that label. Call me naïve, but I can't help but lean towards the "these statistics wouldn't be so high if social networking sites took responsibility for keeping their users safe" side of the fence. In fact, I'm almost entirely sitting on that side of the fence.

Last year (I believe), Facebook announced changes to their reporting system in order to make it easier to report things like cyber-bullying, offensive groups etc. Has it done much? No, I don't believe so. Even a 10-section guide on 'how to stop bullying on Facebook' (link: here) ends by saying "it is unfortunate that Facebook does not take their own abuse policy seriously". This is the grim truth that Facebook users have to face if they find themselves in the awful position of being bullied.

The thing is, while Facebook should absolutely give more of a damn about its users, its users should also realise that everything they type and publish on that site, whether by comment, status update or private message, belongs to them. They own those words, however unpleasant they may be.

Would you want to own a an expensive, broken phone full of important work contacts? No, you'd replace it or fix it. What about a broken fridge full of rotting food? No, you'd probably start by throwing away the food and then get it fixed. I doubt you'd also want to own hideous insults and disgusting comments about a complete stranger, the life, struggles and feelings of whom you are oblivious to. It's the same principle. Surely the people we are and our values and behaviour are worth the most of all, and certainly much more than the few seconds we may feel from putting others down.  

So, back to acting like a grown-up or a small child. In brief, grown-up = ignoring, reporting, blocking/deleting, telling an appropriate adult/teacher/the police (in extreme cases, of course) or messaging the person who has offended you to try and resolve the issue; small child = posting photos, status updates, comments, tweets, etc etc with the obvious intention of humiliating a person (who is clearly identified), deliberately continuing something that should have been resolved very quickly and simply, creating 'hate' groups, 'bantering' (by which I mean comments that are purely offensive, as opposed to sarcastic comments between people who know and actually like each other) about a person you don't know or only vaguely know through somebody else. My list could go on, but I'm sure you understand what I mean.

Wouldn't you rather own your own respectful, level-headed words than the words of someone filled with misplaced anger and hatred? I know I would.

What are your thoughts on cyber-bullying and Facebook? Do you think it should do more or do you believe the individual is always responsible? Let me know in the comments below (respectful comments only though, please - all opinions are always welcome as long as they're stated respectfully :)).

Thanks for taking the time to read,

Rx

what next?

Hi guys :) Apologies for the absence. My laptop died on me and I ended up taking it for repair. Almost two weeks ago (and that has passed ridiculously quickly, can time just slow down a bit please?) it was A-Level results day. I got A*/A/B/B (English Language, Psychology, Spanish, Extended Project) and got into my firm choice of university :)

Results day itself was actually really lovely. It was so nice to see everybody again and see all of my friends get into their firm choices too. It helped that my friend Sophie sent me a text saying "TRACK IS UP!!!!!!!!" prior to 8am (which is the time UCAS gave us) so I already knew I had my place before actually knowing my results.

So what am I doing now? Well, I'm frequenting the fresher groups for my university on Facebook and hunting down potential 'coursemates'. I met one on my Linguastars residential last year (hurrah for awkward scenarios in which two people are forced to 'bond' while creating a play in a foreign language) and I 'know' one from Twitter (also hurrah for people who will proudly proclaim their love for ESC).

I'm also hamster sitting for my cousin (who is in Barcelona...no fair)...

Truthfully, that really is it at the moment. I'm just starting to make preparations for starting university (my first meeting is the day before my birthday, and the second is the day after...well avoided) and commuting every day (booo!)

If you received A2/AS/GCSE results this summer, I hope you all did well :)

SOTD is Camila's 'Mientes' because it's beautiful and also the source of my blog's title

Hasta luego!

Rx