Day Fifty Seven : My Favourite Thing In The World!

Date : Wednesday 27th February 2014

Time : 04.49

Location : Millennium Apartments, Birmingham - Half Asleep!

The Best Thing Ever!

Hump day couldn't have started better! You know, when you wake up in the middle of the night, and you're absolutely gutted because you have to get up for work, then you realise its only 4.49am and you can have another 2 and a half hours in bed! Absolutely Bliss!!!

This phenomenon doesn't happen to often, but my god, when it happens it just makes me so happy! 

You see, I'm not really a morning person! If I start work at 9, and it takes me 25 minutes to walk to work ... I'll roll out of bed at half 8! It's all about maximising your comfort levels! 

It's quite bad! I have to set myself 3 alarms, and I still struggle! First one goes off at 7.30, second at 7.45 then my final alarm goes off at 8. And I still find myself in a rush to get to work. Bad. 

As this this picture isn't the most exciting, I might as well talk through the home screen on my phone - because that's clearly even more exciting, right?

I like to have my favourite apps on my home screen, and just before Christmas it really annoyed me, because I had to factory reset my phone (so lost all my apps) and couldn't remember what went where!! 

I've landed on this layout though! 

Everything above the Google search bar is a MUST! My most frequently used apps!

I'm on Twitter way too much! Just flicking, even if I've just refreshed my feed, I'll just do it again seconds later incase somethings happened. Weird. 

Facebook I don't use too much, thought I am starting to use it a bit more as I post my blog on there every day! 

Spotify and Netflix are pretty big. Spotify I use every day walking to and from work, and when in the gym. I just love how easy it is to download albums, and get into new bands (or just listen to old albums). It's brilliant! I've just downloaded the Bastille, Imagine Dragons and The 1975 albums, so look forward to giving them a listen! Netflix I just love. No more words needed. 

The YouTube which I watch frequently too. There's nothing better than getting home from work, throwing yourself on the bed and watching YouTube! Does anyone else do this? Or just me?

Everything else is stuff that I use quite a lot - on the left is my abs excercises (which, admittedly I haven't used much recently!) and other bits and bobs. Photoeditor is what I use to filter all my photo's and Livescore to keep up to date with all the football scores! 

Let me know what apps you guys love at the moment! I always love to discover new ones! I wish I had an iPhone so I could download the Pointless app. Gutted. 

Until next time! 

Lesson of the day : GET UP WHEN MY ALARM'S GO OFF!! 

Day Fifty Six : Eager Eater!

Date : Tuesday 26th February 2014

Time : 13.54

Location : Wyatt International, Birmingham

Too much, too soon!!

Whoops! On more than on occasion, I've been told I've got "a peculiar crisp eating method". Yesterdays lunch probably takes the biscuit! 

Pretty much everyday, for lunch, I eat an Uncle Ben's microwave rice, and a buttered roll. Cheap and cheerful - and REALLY yummy! Unfortunately, as you may tell from the time, I had to take a bit of a late lunch yesterday, so when I got back from Morrison's, my bread roll supplier (Philpott's) had run out.

Devastated. 

I had to improvise with a bag of crisps I had in my draw (popped, not fried - because popped crisps are amazing - and slightly healthier). So I preceded to scoop some rice, onto my crisps and eat. 

This process was going well, and it was really tasty. Until I decided to throw rice all over my keyboard. It was much worse than the picture suggests, I had rice wedged under my laptop, all over my legs (then the floor - poor cleaners) and even over some of my work - excellent! 

My peculiar crisp eating method went a notch higher yesterday! I am slightly embarrassed! Oh well, you live and learn. 

I suppose I'll just have to get to Philpott's earlier, so they don't run out of bread roles! There's a lesson I've learnt from today;s story! 

Until tomorrow! 

Day Fifty Five : Graduation (FINALLY!)

Date : Monday 24th February 2014

Time : 10.06

Location : Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Gap 'n Gowned!

So it finally came. 4 and a half years after starting Business Studies at Birmingham City University, and about 8 months after actually finishing, I finally graduated yesterday! 

The ceremony was held at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and was definitely nothing like I've ever experienced! 

I was really nervous, I don't really know why, I guess it was because for that 5 second period, hundreds of pairs of eyes were on you, walking across the stage. I'm not sure, it was just an odd feeling. 

I think the waiting, and the rituals / traditions of the ceremony was what made me more nervous. An 8-piece mini orchestra played atmospheric music before the ceremony actually started - that didn't help! 

When the ceremony eventually started, it all got a bit weird! A selection of lecturers and university managerial staff made a slow walk to the stage. It reminded me of the Olympic torch relay, as the chap at the front of the congregation held a massive silver stick that resembled an Olympic torch! 

Once the ceremony started, students were honoured, from members of staff, masters, postgraduates and finally us lowly graduates. There was a lot of clapping. A LOT. And I felt bad. I felt like I had to clap for every single person that walked across the stage, as I would have wanted everyone to clap for me. 

Something that slightly disappointed me was that I didn't really get to see my friends walk across the stage, as I was in the back corridors queuing for my moment! Never mind. 

And then, in the blink of an eye, it was over! Mark Gary Stern one of our senior lecturers read, as I walked across the stage to shake a couple of gowned men - one of whom was dressed like a pirate, it should be noted. 

Apparently my friends and family all cheered and 'whooped' for me, but I didn't really hear - I was too busy concentrating on not tripping over, not having my hat fall off (and it was already a little bit too big for me), maintaining the appearance of my gown AND not ballsing up the two handshakes - which I nailed spot on, athank you!

Mum videoed me walking across the stage, at which time I discovered how poor my walk / posture is. Must address NOW. I did get to relive the two greatest handshakes ever delivered, which was better than receiving my degree (well, not really, but they were damn good!).

And that was pretty much it! I was expecting the ceremony to be a lot worse than it was. I thought it would be really boring, and I guess it was still boring, just not really boring! 

Afterwards we went out for lunch to a gastropub outside the city centre, by which point I hadn't eaten all day so I had a bit of a headache! Then all my family went home and I celebrated my graduation with a quick pint with a friend, before a nice game of football! 

Until tomorrow! 

Lesson of the day - Believe In Your Dreams (As read from my graduation card from work) 

Note. There was no cap throwing - I thought that was a bit of a cringe and more of an American thing! 

Pointless Note - The tassels on a graduation cap should ALWAYS go on the LEFT. I didn't ask why and can't be bothered to Google! If anyone knows, do tell!! 

Day Fifty Four : What Mums Are For

Date : Sunday 23rd February 2014

Time : 20.12

Location : Millennium Apartments, Birmingham

Thanks Mum!!

OK so tomorrow is my graduation. I guess that's kind of a big deal! So I've welcomed my Mum, Sister and Grandma up to Birmingham for the evening before to chill and go out for dinner. 

Of course, what else are mums for, rather than ironing my shirt ready for the big day? Well, they're obviously for a lot more than that, but ironing my shirt is a pretty big help! 

We had a really nice evening, went to GBK - the first time I've been before - I had a really great fresh chicken burger! Yum! Also had some skinny fries and a nice salad :) 

Normally, I eat dinner at about 8 / 9 - but last night we went for dinner at about 6. Thanks to this, I got really tired really early! I was ready for bed at about 8.30! 

After Mum and Grandma took over the living room to watch celebrities dancing on ice (BOOOORRRIIINNNGGG), my sister and I stayed up 'til about 11.30 playing video games! We played Call of Duty (which she was surprisingly good at) and London Olympics 2012 - which is a really great 'pick up and play' game. We made a really great team in the synchronized diving! 

It was really fun chilling with my sister and family, we don't get to spend too much time together so seeing them all was really great! 

Also on Sunday, my favourite TV show came back on. Well, it's only on in America, but it's screened on YouTube on Monday's. The Amazing Race. 12 teams race around the world to win $1,000,000. It really is Amazing.

Day Fifty Three : Music Saturday!

Date : Saturday 22nd February 2014

Time : 12.04

Location : Millennium Apartments, Birmingham

Ukulele Help! 

OK so we're approaching the end of February. 1 sixth of the year gone. Fifty three days. How are my resolutions going so far? 

Well, I was smashing the gym, then took a bit of time off and now trying to get back on it. So not too bad.

Blogging? Well I've probably missed about 13 days in total, so again, not too bad - getting back into the swing of it now! 

Learning new things? Well, this brings me on to my picture from yesterday. As you may (or may not recall) I am learning to play the Ukulele. Not having lessons or anything, just teaching myself songs through YouTube videos. And that, is going really well. 

I actually love it. How tragically small it is, how fun it is, the great sound it makes. 

So one song I really love (even though it's really old) is Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People. So yesterday I learnt to play it. It's pretty simple, it only has 4 chords, but making the transitions takes some time to get used to! Here is the tutorial I used, this chap is called Todd Downing, and he's really helpful! 

So basically, I am a pro now ;) 

Well, not really, I'm still only playing really basic songs with 3 / 4 chords. But judge for yourselves! So far I can play (in very basic forms) - 

La Bamba

Adventure Time theme song

5 Years Time - Noah And The Whale

Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People

(The intro of) What Makes You Beautiful - 1D.

So on the whole, it's going well and I'm still learning! 

On the subject of music - who watched the BRIT's on Wednesday? Wasn't Alex Turner a bit weird?! If you haven't seen his acceptance speech for Best British Album, take a look here. Very odd. 

HOWEVER. I am a big fan of Arctic Monkeys. I've seen them at Reading way back when, and listened to their new album 'AM' yesterday for the first time properly - I often get albums, listen to them once then just pick the songs I like!

My favourite song on the album is #4 - Arabella (which I just found out is being released on 10th March). It's a great song and will no doubt be a hit! 

I'm also listening to the new You Me At Six album, Cavalier Youth - which on first listen also sounds great! 

I'm a pretty big music fan, so if anyone has any suggestions it's always great to learn new bands and find out what other people like! 

Lesson of the day - Find something you enjoy doing and practice, because practice makes perfect! 

NOTE - I've just signed up to Ask.fm - so if you want to ask me a question check out my profile :) ask.fm/super_stern

Day Fifty Two : Oh, Hi There!

Date : Friday 21st February 2014

Time : 17.06

Location : Wyatt International, Birmingham

Graduation is VERY soon!

OK. Shall we address the elephant in the room before we go on? I haven't blogged in 10 days. 10 whole days. Wow. Though actually, I've done a fair bit of slacking in that time. 

I had a McDonald's breakfast the morning after Taylor Swift, and have only been to the gym twice since I got back from Tenerife! So so bad.

BUT.

I'm back, and committed, so let's go! 

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I had a really nice surprise at work today! You know you sometimes get it, when you genuinely don't expect anything from anyone, or expect anyone to know what's happening. But they do, and it makes you really happy?

That happened to me today. I have Monday off work for my graduation, which is fairly exciting. I've mentioned it a couple of times at work, but just in passing. Truth be told, I'm not actually that excited for it! But I suppose it's a rite of passage that every graduate must go to, fully hatted and gowned! 

So today, at around 5pm, the head of department stood front and centre and said that the department hadn't forgotten about the reason I am off on Monday, and wanted to give me the pictured congratulations card. 

I just thought it was so nice. It's a reminder that sometimes, it really is the thought that counts. 

Other than that, today was the first real time that it struck me, that the weather seems (touch MASSIVE wood) to be clearing up a little bit. This whole week I've been scarfing / gloving / hatting up to walk to work, when actually it's not been that cold out! 

And also, it's SO light out when I leave for work! Bring on 30th March for British Summertime! 

Lesson of the day - STAY FOCUSED AND COMMITTED!

Day Forty Two : Rain, Wind, Snow, Cold

Date : Tuesday 11th February 2014

Time : 06.14 

Location : Borehamwood

SO EARLY. 

Before I start, is it OCD if it REALLY annoys me that this picture isn't central? No? I'm a weirdo? OK. 

I blame the wonky picture on the ridiculous time it was taken! Yesterday morning, fresh from the coolest night ever, I was pegged down a level, waking up at 5.45am to leave at 6.15am to drive back to Birmingham for work. Incredibly, despite waking up at such a ridiculous hour, I STILL managed to be late for work ... darn traffic.

It wasn't just the traffic that was bad though. Oh no. 

The weather. 

Everyone in England's talking about it, so why don't I join in! 

Remember a couple of days ago when I said it was too windy to use an umbrella. Well right now, that's massively applicable. Yesterday I walked to work, and didn't quite have time to register how wet / windy it was. The answer? VERY. 

I wish I could have taken a picture of myself, I genuinely looked like a drowned rat. It was made worse by the fact that my shoes didn't dry off all day, so when I got caught in the rain on the way home, my feet were frozen solid! 

'What? More incredibly annoying weather related stuff happened yesterday?' I hear you ask, yes! Allow me to explain.

The biblical rain we had whilst I was walking into work soon cleared up (annoying) and turned into a brilliant blizzard or the lovely white stuff! It was amazing, snow flakes like I've never seen before for a good hour!

Annoyingly, the wet ground ate the snow up without problems, so it didn't settle that much - though it did a tiny bit! If it wouldn't have rained to heavily in the morning then it would have been amazing! I was picturing snowball fights on lunch, sledging in the car park, snowmen! Maybe next time! 

Even the tiny amount of snow that did manage to settle was wiped away in the afternoon, as the warm winter sun decided to emerge. So we had biblical rain, brilliant blizzards and gorgeous winter sun yesterday. Whatever next! (Spoiler - 120mph winds - I was nearly blown over walking home from work!!)

Why do us Brits LOVE talking about the weather?! Regardless of what happens, we're never happy! It's either too hot, too cold, raining too much, why is there a hosepipe ban, I love thunder and lightening, rain is good - better for surfing. 

Lesson of the day - Invent a garment or product that is rain AND wind resistant, and incredibly strong ..... OR drive to work!! 

Day Forty One : Meeting Taylor Swift

Date : Monday 10th February 2014

Time : Around 18.45(ish) 

Location : o2 Arena, Greenwich

Taylor Swift

The amount I've gone on about Taylor Swift in the last couple of days, you'd be forgiven if you'd have thought I was actually a massive fan of hers. 

I'm not! BUT. I feel that I may have been swayed. 

By hook or by crook (or by a client of Hannah's) we were offered free VIP tickets to see 'Swifty' last night. Amazing. Free food and free drinks in a private box. I could get used to that! And it got better. 

When we picked up the tickets, we were told we had meet & greet passes, and that we had hurry! We were promptly rushed through security, around the back corridors of the o2 with lucky competition winners and friends and family (apparently her parents were there). 

It's an incredibly daunting feeling. A strange one. On one hand I thought I'm about to meet one of the most famous musicians on the planet right now and on the other I thought I'm about to meet a normal, 24 year old girl from America.

I still panicked. When I first saw her the initial thought was 'Wow. She's so tall!' I'm 5"10 and she towered me!

I have to say. For an incredibly famous, wealthy twenty-something, she was incredibly down to earth. Really chatty, friendly - it was really great to meet her! 

The 30 or so seconds we had with her flash by in an instant, then we had our picture taken with her and were whisked away.

It's annoying. I can think of so many things I'd want to say to her now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I wanted to ask her for a selfie (we weren't allowed our phones in there so that was out), I wanted her to follow me on Twitter, I wanted to ask her to be my girlfriend and hook Hannah up with Zac Efron. Then I thought it would be funny to tell her my favourite song of hers was 'My Life Would Suck Without You' (Kelly Clarkson). 

So naturally I just asked her if she was excited for the show! She said she was 'stoked'. So American. 

Of course, the reason we were there was to see the concert, which was supported by The Harry Styles Tribute Band The Vamps. They were pretty good, especially when one of them fell off the stage! That was really funny!

Then, of course, Swifty killed it. Even though I didn't know many of her songs, it was still really enjoyable, I'd see her again hands down.

Unfortunately for me, and anyone reading this, Monday 10th February will almost certainly go down as the coolest thing I'll do in 2014 (quite possibly my life). So really, it only goes downhill from now! I might as well just stop blogging all together!

It's nights like last night that made me want to start this blog, to document what I do. Last night was amazing, definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

I'm bending the rules again today, here are some more pics from last night!

The o2 (It's still the Millennium Dome in my eyes)

Our Tickets - Meet & Greet

Just before The Vamps

Epic Lights

Lesson of the day - PRESERVE BATTERY THROUGHOUT THE DAY IF YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING EXCITING TO DO IN THE EVENING. 

Day Forty : Chocolate Heaven

Date : Sunday 9th February 2014

Time : 13.29

Location : Jimmy's World Grill, Watford

Diet Starts Tomorrow

 

Jimmy's World Grill is brilliant. Well, OK, I say brilliant - that's only if you know what you want / like. If you're a little indecisive, then it can quickly turn into a bit of a nightmare.

 

The choices of cuisine are endless.

 

Chinese

Indian

Mexican

Thai

Sunday Roast

Pizza

(OK maybe not actually endless).

 

But I haven't mentioned the desserts. Ice cream, mini chocolate cake, strawberry cake, carrot cake, mince pies, flan. Too much choice.

 

I think there are two important things to remember when visiting a place like this. Two rules that everyone should follow. They are as follows:

 

1. Slow and steady wins the race. There's no rush, plates don't need to be piled miles high.

2. Never (under any circumstances) mix and match cuisine on the same plate.

 

Unfortunately, I made these rules after yesterdays visit, and sadly fell victim to both yesterday.

 

Plate One - Chicken nuggets, chips, mini spring rolls (of course)

Plate Two - Lamb Rogan Josh, mini spring rolls

Plate Three - Nachos, mini spring rolls

Plate Four - See above (I am ashamed).

 

As I'm sure you can probably tell, the mini spring rolls were something else! SO GOOD.

 

The less said about my dessert the better. The chef at the ice cream bar gets a couple of scoops and hammers mini eggs into the ice cream. It's quite a spectacle (and I wish I'd have taken a picture of him in action!).

 

For £13, all you can eat, it was a decent meal. Good food, not amazing, but not bad. The phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" springs to mind! I would certainly recommend though!

 

Also for dinner, Mum, Hannah, Jennifer (sister), Andy (sisters' husband-to-be) and I hit up the local Nando's. Butterfly chicken, chips and creamy mash (double potatoes, of course). So good.

 

My taste buds were satisfied yesterday!

 

There is a lesson to be learned from today. See below.

 

Lesson of the day - stop spending so much money on food!

 

BONUS - Who knew '40' was written 'Forty'. Mind Blown.

Day Thirty Nine : Sewing and Stitching

Date : Saturday 8th February 2014

Time : 11.24

Location : Mum's Flat, Borehamwood

Sewing!

 

 

I've not been able to wear my a jacket of mine for ages. Partly because it's absolutely freezing at the moment, but also because one of the buttons had fallen off.

 

I stumbled across this at my mums flat. A nice big sewing kit.

 

I remember at school, in about year 5, I had to sew myself a pillow. If I can master the cross-stitch in year 5, I can sew a button on at aged 23 I thought!

 

And to be fair, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The hardest part is threading the cotton through the eye of the needle. Nothing that a nice bit of saliva can't handle.

 

Now, sewing the button on was easy - it was just the finishing off part that I struggled with. Mum helped me out a treat!

 

That was easy, I thought, I now have a fully operable button! I probably shouldn't mention that I actually sewed the button straight through my coats pocket. Oops.

 

It was never going to be that perfect, would it!

 



Lesson of the day - sewing is a skill for life. Also, try not to sew straight through a pocket!

Day Thirty Eight : Weddings

Date :  Friday 7th February 2014

Time : 22.34

Location : Bedford Swan Hotel, Bedford

Hannah and I

 

 

Before I start, it's now the thirty eighth day of the year, and something has occurred to me. I need to start blogging retrospectively, rather than on the day.

 

The only reason I thought of this, was last night. I walked home from work and took a picture of the lovely blue sky. I couldn't believe how light it was. Then I realised that I have a wedding to attend, and there will probably be a nicer to take then. So I had yesterday as my overtaking day, and now I'm back on it, talking about YESTERDAY.

 

So yeah, we went to the wedding of my uncle in Bedford. Despite getting there an hour late (traffic / various car problems - no doubt there'll be more of those in the year ahead) it was a really nice evening. Not least getting to hang out with my cousin Michael and his girlfriend Sarah, who featured in Day One.

 



I like this picture, Hannah and I look pretty cool. I got my shirt from Tesco (yes ... Tesco)... AND it only cost me £7! It's quickly become my favourite shirt, it's sort of a bit Noel Edmonds style, but I like it anyway!

This was my first wedding experience, and it was a nice one. A pic 'n' mix sweets bar, wacky glasses / masks and novelty famous people masks were good fun. The highlight was getting Hannah to wear an Arsene Wenger (Arsenal manager) mask, which was pretty funny.

The confusing thing was, these masks are supposed to be ridiculous and over-sized, but when I put the Arsene Wenger mask on, it just looked normal. Strange.

I think this has something to do with my abnormally large head. Yesterday at work I had to measure the circumference of my head, in order to place the order for my graduation gown. I did this, rather ingeniously, by using the cable from my mouse, and a ruler. It turns out the circumference of my head is 2 feet. I was shocked, and am now slightly self-conscious!

Oh well!

Onwards and upwards.

I think this new format will work better, rather than rushing the post together on the night. It also means I won't miss anything if something exciting happens - though this is very doubtful!

Lesson of the day - don't be afraid to right any wrongs, and accept a new way of doing things.

Day Thirty Seven : R.I.P

Date :  Thursday 6th February 2014

Time : 08.54

Location : Broad Street, Birmingham

R.I.P Brolly

It's sad when things die, isn't it. I was quite sad when my goldfish 'Thierry' and 'Dennis' died. These were sad occasions, though I'm not saying my negligence didn't have a part to play. 

Anyway. Here's a tip. It's a little known fact that actually, there are some instances where it is TOO windy for umbrellas. In the UK, we have been having some torrid weather recently. Really really bad. Freezing cold, horrible rain, but the wind has been the worst of it. 

On my walk to work I stumbled past no less than 8 deceased umbrellas. That's no way to start the day. How could I focus. 

All I could think of was the Rita Ora song "RIP". But instead of 

"R.I.P to the girl you used to see, her days are over"

I thought

"R.I.P to the brolly you used to be, your drying days are over ...." (I should be a songwriter, no?)

Anyway, moving Swiftly on (you won't get that just yet, but it's an incredible gag) this weekend is going to be very exciting.

I have a wedding tomorrow, followed by a weekend catching up with friends and family in London and brilliantly I managed to bag Monday off work so that I could go V.I.P with my very lucky girlfriend to see Taylor Swift. Good weekend in store! 

Lesson of the day - Sometimes, it is TOO windy to use an umbrella. Bite the bullet, and stick a hood on it. 

**Must familiarise myself with The Vamps and Taylor Swift songs!**

DISCLAIMER.... That umbrella is not mine. 

Day Thirty Six : What I Do For Fun

Date :  Wednesday 5th February 2014

Time : 19.02

Location : Millennium Apartments, Birmingham

Flappy Bird

** Am trying to sort out my Bloglovin feed** - Follow me here --> Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A lot of people I know, including myself (sometimes) think I am, and are vocal about calling me boring. Because I don't particularly like drinking and I like to have some time to myself. That's fair enough, everyone's entitled to their own opinions.

A couple of days ago I heard about this game that killed someone in Northern Ireland called Neknomination, whereby someone posts a video of themselves completing a hideous drinking challenge and they nominate three people after, and so on and so on. 

There has been some ridiculous internet crazes over years gone by. Extreme Ironing, Pet Shaming, Pets in Tights, Bread Cats. But my word, this is just crazy. Maybe it's just because I'm boring and don't understand the concept of fun, but Neknomination. Really?!

This brings me on to today's 'picture'. OK, it's not a picture, it's a screenshot. But Flappy Birds is so damn fun. It's painfully addictive. It follows the same premise as The Helicopter Game; you have to tap the screen to guide this bird through a range of Mario Pipes. 

WARNING. It's very difficult! I managed to guide Tony (my pet bird) through 16 pipes. That's my PB. 

Download it and get involved! If you've already got it, let me know what your high score is! Probably significantly better than mine! 

Lesson of the day - you don't have to partake in ridiculous drinking to have a good time! 

May have something exciting to share tomorrow, regarding some antics this weekend. Watch this space (hopefully)! 

Day Thirty Five : That Awkward Moment

Date :  Tuesday 4th February 2014

Time : 20.35

Location : Odeon Cinema, Broadway Plaza, Birmingham

Birmingham cinemas are so cheap!

Before I start, I'd like to point out a couple of things. Firstly, today was the first time I haven't bought a student ticket at the cinema in about 5 years. Welcome to the real world. 

Secondly, despite the fact that I am a metrosexual 23 year old male, Zac Efron (disregarding all the drugs and rehab) is a fine looking man. 

OK so we went to see That Awkward Moment tonight. It stars Zac, alongside no other famous people Miles Teller and Michael Jordan (not the basketball player) as 3 friends, who make a pact to not get into relationships. I'm sure you can tell the plot a mile off here! I won't spoil it - but non of them stay single for very long!

It was an easy viewing film, really funny at parts, and if you're not swayed yet, there are many scenes where Zac doesn't wear much - including an alternative way to go to the toilet! 

That Awkward Moment seems like an appropriate film title for me to see and enjoy, given that - in my eyes - awkward things are all around me. For example, just a couple of hours ago, whilst in the cinema watching this very film, I started sniffing ("man flu") during a break-up scene. The people around me must have thought my tear ducts were working overdrive! Awkward. 

Another example - this one's a bit more general - when I'm walking in the same direction as someone, and we both move the same way to get out the way. Awkward.

Or The Awkward Moment when your stomach waits for the whole room to go deftly quiet, before growling with hunger. 

You get the picture. 

Comment below your awkward moments, or if you've seen That Awkward Moment, let me know what you thought! 

I thought it was a good film, easy viewing and funny. I would definitely go and see it again. 4/5. 

Lesson of the day - Never go to the cinema if you have a cold. People WILL think you're crying. 

Day Thirty Four : NEED MORE SUN

Date :  Monday 3rd February 2014

Time : 13.15

Location : Millennium Apartments, Birmingham

DIY Sea Spray Kit

Before I kick off today's post, it has been suggested by more than one person that I get myself on Bloglovin. So on my sidebar there is now the option to do that :) 

I spent this weekend in The Isle of Fernandos - Tenerife to you and I -  with 22 of my (future) brother-in-law's friends / family. This was my first experience of a stag do - I won't go into detail. But it was brutal. 

Yesterday we took to the waves for a spot of jet skiing - a must for anyone who gets the opportunity to have a go! I warm sun beating down on my vulnerable skin, the gentle swash of sea waves and the roar of 5 monster jet skis. Could life get better? 

At the time, the splash of salty water in my face, mouth and hair was slightly annoying. Then I realised what it had done. My hair's never looked so good! It's something to do with the salt in the sea that makes hairs go really nice and wavey - this is coming from someone who doesn't really do his hair too much! 

So when I got home today, I firstly looked up sea salt hair spray - which is a thing - but then I came across a DIY blog and some tutorials on YouTube. How hard can it be? 

The ingredients are - 

1 x tablespoon of sea salt

1 x tablespoon of conditioner

1 x tablespoon of coconut oil

1 x glass of boiling water.

It's no more difficult then mixing these ingredients together thoroughly AND CAREFULLY and voila. Instant beach look for you hair - and might I add, it smells incredible. This is probably thanks to the Orange and Papaya conditioner I used. I'm looking forward to trying this out tomorrow to see how it turns out! 

Following on from the beach theme. I finally picked myself up a ukelele. I've been talking about this since the turn of the year, and finally got one today. I've never played an instrument, it just seems like a really nice, peaceful thing to play. 

I'm attempting to just use YouTube tutorials to teach me chords / songs. So far I've learnt the Adventure Time Theme, which is pretty basic but still not too bad after just a couple of hours practice! I'll be a pro (maybe) in no time! 

Ultimately, I'm happy to be back home, but you can't beat a bit of January sun! 

Lesson of the day : make an effort to learn new things! 

Also - Ukelele's are cool. Fact.