Christmas 2015!

Christmas Day was alright. . . it got a bit tense because Dad didn't want to watch Doctor Who with me. I don't get as many presents as I did when I was younger but the presents I get now have more meaning. I got a textbook that was really expensive from my Dad which is going to be so useful next semester at university! I took around 300 photos and these are some of my favourites:

My new Christmas mug that I'm using throughout the Winter months <3

Burning a candle as we said a prayer before our Christmas lunch <3

Daisy (left) and Poppy (right) playing together with their new bunny <3

People say me and my Step Sister look alike. . . do you agree? This is the only nice photo we had together but I like it <3

No real reason for this photo except it looked cute and I LOVE using the setting on my camera (Canon 1100D) where the subject is in focus but the background is blurred <3

My Step Sister's Christmas mug which she is using throughout the winter <3

Overall I enjoyed the day. I'm not sure how I felt about Doctor Who since there wasn't much mention of Christmas, no decorations, no Christmas-related characters etc Also I heard a rumour that Peter Capaldi is leaving! I looked at a list of potential doctors and my favourite is the guy that plays Rumplestiltskin in Once Upon A Time! He's just fabulous!

I haven't really got anymore plans for the Christmas break except reading through my textbook, hoping to get my grades back on my assignments, looking at houses for September, waiting for the reading lists to be published. (Doesn't sound very exciting but I honestly love university so much!)

I have some personal plans/goals for 2016:

More blogging - add photos to each post
YouTube/HopeTube/Hopefully Playing The Uke
More photography
More writing
Keep up better with my pen pals/happy mail/snail mail/pocket letter pals/bullet journal pen pals
More reading (New books in Waterstones - Teen fic section!!!)
Consistent grades
100% attendance
Stay positive
Be healthy - drink more water
Try to go back to trampolining and archery (if possible)
Try yoga and meditation (especially when I get stressed)
Save for house deposit
Save for a holiday with Mum (Disney!!)
Don't spend so much on luxuries
Meet up with Kirsten for movies and crochet
Meet up with Kerry more often
Meet up with Cal and Ash more often
Meet up with Mattia
Review lecture notes straight after class
Spend more time in the library - further reading and research
Research ideas for summer project (3000 words!!)
Bullet Journal every day
Erin Condren every day

That's it for now!

Kazia x

Irrelevant Titles!

When people post on social media (especially YouTube) and use titles that don't relate to the content, it puts me off and I tend not to want to watch it.

I used to watch all my favourite YouTubers as soon as they uploaded a new video even if I didn't like the sound of the title - just because it was that person! But now I look at the title and if I'm uninterested, I won't watch it. It might be a brilliant video but it doesn't matter because they biggest thing that could describe it (the title) is unrelated.

Also, the description box (again on YouTube) People now only put "Follow me on Twitter *insert link*" in the description box rather than whatever the video is actually about so I can't get an idea of what to expect or take away from the video. Tell me what your message is, what will I learn from this three minute video or is it just a waste of three minutes of my life that I could use to make my own content?

Let me know your opinions in the comments! (I hope this post makes sense!)

That's it for now,

Kazia x

HopeTube!

*I am behind already! :( But I will be uploading as soon as I can! :D*

HopeTube is a video "challenge" for people in the Hopeful community to share videos on YouTube with a specific theme. It was created by Dominique and we're all really excited to spread a positive message through YouTube videos.

Information if you want to join in is below

HopeTube Facebook Group

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Schedule:
2 - 8 nov: Disney!
9 - 15 nov: Thing(s) I'm proud of!
16 - 22 nov: Impersonations! (Try to do other people's voices and / or ways of acting)

New here?
Hi! For starters it would be a good idea to make a small introduction video telling about yourself and your motivation for doing this and post it here! That way we know who everyone is. After that, you can follow the weekly themes and challenges and make videos with us!

What to do:
Every week(end) try to upload the video based on the theme or challenge assigned. Interpretation is always free and up to you, if you don't feel like doing it the usual way, give it your twist! You don't have to do it every week if you don't have the time, or you can make loads more. It's all up to you!

Uploading and Channels:
You'll upload it on your own channel, and then you can post the link here so everyone involved can see all the videos.
There's a document in the files tab with all the participating channels, if yours isn't on there yet, add a comment (tag me) or message me!
Try to upload before the end of the week. Not everyone has free time on the same days so try to find your own schedule. If you miss it sometimes, that's fine too! It's all for fun.

Names and Labeling:
To make the videos easier to find, try to put Hopetube in your video titles, descriptions and labels / tags. That way, people can search for Hopetube and they'll easily find all the videos we made together!
If you want to keep the same way of titling as most hopetubers, try using "Hopetube | Title of your video"

Themes and Challenges:
If you have any nice themes or challenges you'd love to do, comment / post it somewhere and if we've haden't had it yet or not for a long while, I'll put it in the scheme!

Important stuff:
Watch out with copyrighted footage and music, if you want to easily find music, try searching for royalty free music, there's loads of it around. Also youtube has a creator studio with loads.

Social Media - Good or bad?

Essena ONeill and Dodie Clark have great videos about what social media is doing to people. We don't interact anymore with people in the street or at the park or wherever we are. We just use social media to talk and we need to find a balance.

I believe social media is good and bad. It is an industry that is thriving! It is a place to share your thoughts and ideas with people across the globe that you wouldn't have had the chance to talk to otherwise. But it's also an industry that is exploiting people, people become popular on Instagram for having the "perfect" body in the eyes of our society. These people don't even feel happy within themselves because they're constantly being judged and criticised by people that don't even know them.

I think these videos need to be spread, their messages are important. We are being consumed by social media and we need to step back and live in the moment. Enjoy our lives, not for the views, likes or followers but for ourselves.

What is your opinion?

That's it for now,

Kazia x

University Packing List!

This summer has gone super fast and it has already started to get cold in England! I'm currently wrapped up in my duvet with a hot mug of tea while writing this blog post. It is my packing list for university, as the title would suggest, as I move into halls of residence on 18th September.

• Bedroom

1. Duvet
2. Pillows and pillow cases
3. Cushions
4. Decorations - picture frames, polaroids on twine, fairy lights, decorative flowers
5. Coat hangers
6. Clothes - Autumn/Winter, coat, boots, hat, scarf, gloves, slippers

• Study essentials

1. Stationery - pens, pencil case, stapler, hole punch, folders, planner, highlighters, sticky notes
2. Laptop (MacBook Pro)
3. Desk lamp

• Kitchen

1. Plates
2. Bowls
3. Cutlery
4. Knives
5. Tea towels
6. Chopping boards

• Bathroom

1. Feminine supplies
2. Shampoo and conditioner
3. Shower gel
4. Toothbrush and toothpaste
5. Hairbrush
6. Perfume and deodrant

• Other supplies

1. Phone/Laptop chargers
2. Extension lead
3. Bin
4. Docking station
5. Tissues/Medication (Just in case I get Freshers flu)
6. Alarm clock
7. Desk mirror

University!

Results Day:

The night before results day I found out that if I looked on UCAS, I'd know whether or not I'd been accepted at UEA but it wouldn't tell me the grades I had received. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know this before getting my grades because I was so nervous but on the morning I looked on UCAS and saw the most incredible news "University of East Anglia - Unconditional Offer (Firmly Accepted)" So I went to college to pick up my results which weren't as good as I was hoping for but it didn't matter because I had been accepted anyway!

Preparations:

Lists - I've made lists for near enough everything! My bedroom, study/stationery, kitchen and bathroom packing lists. Remember you don't have to buy everything brand new - students are known to not have very much money and your student loan won't last forever! There are sales during Freshers Week for students to buy second hand books, pots and pans that previous students have used and no longer need.

YouTube - I've watched hundreds of videos of "Freshers tips", "university haul", "moving to university vlog", "dorm/halls room tour", "first day of university" Watching these videos makes me less nervous about starting university because everyone is in the same boat (cliche much) and there's really no reason to panic!

Moving Day:

I can only prepare for moving day as it hasn't happened yet but I have planned out everything I need to do that day. 

• Outfit - comfy clothes that you feel confident wearing otherwise you'll be even more self-conscious than before
• Double check everything is packed and ready to put in the car
• Travel to UEA!! 
• Meeting with Emma (My personal adviser)
• Pick up my keys between 9am and 12pm
• Induction events from 1:30pm onwards
• Unpack and decorate my room
• Say goodbye to family
• Meet any flat mates that have moved in/wait for room mates to move in the next day
• Make dinner, shower, relax, Skype with family

That's it for now,

Kazia x

My Blogging Mistake!

I started this blog in December 2014 to have a creative space to share my personal thoughts but I've come to realise that if I want my audience to grow I don't want to share the ins and outs of my daily life. I want to share thoughts and ideas that other people will enjoy and add more photographs to my posts. So from now on, my posts are going to be more focused rather than random happenings in my life. 

I want to make a few series of posts:

1. University - I'm starting in less than two weeks (I'm SO very excited!)
2. Positivity
3. Being a teenager - bullying, self-image, confidence, school/education, friendships/relationships, mental health, anxiety
4. Charities - volunteering, donating

I hope you enjoy reading my blog posts and share your thoughts in the comments!

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Passing!

14th July - Teddy passed away

23rd July - Rupert passed away

These few weeks have been hard. . . my hamster and my dog died within a week of each other. 

According to the vet, Rupert had been ill for 3 or 4 months with kidney disease and pancreatitis. He did a blood test and the results were "off the scale" which wasn't great news so we went back and chose to put him to sleep because the treatment he needed wasn't going to have a real effect. He may have lived for a couple more weeks. We didn't want Rupert to be in pain so this was the best thing to do. I'll miss him so much. I miss him every day. A few days leading up to his death there was a lot of rain but on Thursday the sun came out. Rupert adored sleeping in the sunshine! After his death, there has been rain again. He loved to turn round and round in circles to get comfortable and he'd bury your things (phone, books etc) if they were in his way before he could make his bed.

I'm not sure yet how I'm going to get through it, I want something to remember Rupert by but I want to be subtle. Poppy, our puppy, is struggling without her brother.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Great British Summer!

As British people, we talk about the weather a LOT!

We moan when it's too cold! We moan when it's too hot!

The last few days have been really hot - 30'C or more.

I don't do well when it's so hot like this. . . I already wish it was Autumn! 

So my family have sat in the garden but I stay inside because the sun gives me an instant headache. . . I sat outside yesterday afternoon for the first time in a while because we had a BBQ but other than that I've not gone out. It seems so stupid because I want to enjoy summer and when summer is over I always regret not going out. It's the same in Winter - I hate the cold too! So when there's snow outside and everyone's having snowball fights, I'm inside drinking hot chocolate, snuggled under a mound of blankets and reading a good book instead.

I don't know whether it's because the weather in Britain changes so quickly or whether it's something else. I think it would be better if the temperature gradually increased/decreased because at least I would be able to plan my outfits and plan my day. But the temperature seems to change all the time, one minute it's hot and the next it's raining.

What are your thoughts on the heat wave right now?

Fun Fact: A year ago today, I climbed Mount Snowdon and it rained so much! I had a hot chocolate when I got to the bottom because I was cold and soaked even though we had to wear like five layers of clothing and waterproof coats and trousers!

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Erin Condren Life Planner 2015/16!

My planner arrived!

I've been tracking it all week and it finally came! I am in love! It is beautiful.

So, Erin Condren had a few issues when they first launched the new planners at the start of June and I was really worried that mine would be messed up - damaged coil, missing pages, missing parts of the order - but it is absolutely perfect! 

I decorated this week's layout and it looks so pretty. I added some birthday stickers to my birthday (September 23rd)

It is smaller than I imagined although it's not tiny. The cover is stunning! It is a customised cover with butterflies and my name at the bottom. I can't wait to start planning everything. I know it will get busy from September because of university, I'm so excited. I just hope I got high enough grades this year.

Do you use a planner? Do you decorate it? What do you write in it?

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Room 94! Room 94! Room 94!

Saturday night was surreal because I only found out about Room 94 playing a gig in Norwich on Friday! I didn't even think I'd get tickets. I had planned to go to the cinema with my Mum and step-sister Becky on Friday and then spend the weekend at home but when I found out about the gig, I had to go. 

At the cinema, we watched Minions which came out on Friday so we thought the cinema would be packed with families but it was actually pretty empty. The film was good though, really funny, especially the British stereotypes. Even though it's a kids film, I think anyone with a sense of humour would enjoy it. (I'm not good at film reviews unless I start talking about camera angles and mise-en-scene!)

I saw Room 94 in March 2013 when they supported Lawson and we had to wait outside in the snow for over an hour before they'd let us into the venue. It was a Christmas gift from Kerry and it was our first concert which made it so exciting! I knew if I ordered the tickets, Kerry wouldn't be able to come with me which was really sad because I wanted her to have this experience with me. (It was Kerry's birthday weekend and she couldn't make any plans because her parents had a surprise already planned for her.)

So on Saturday, we drove to Norwich really early because we didn't really know where we were going (The Waterfront) and sat outside for ages while waiting for the doors to open. The security man kept appearing, asking if we had VIP tickets - which we didn't. I don't know if VIP is worth it, what are your thoughts? I mean, you obviously get to hang out with the bands before/after the show and get to be right at the front so you can literally hold their hands but the tickets are almost three times more than standard tickets! I had a great time, with my standard ticket, I got a t-shirt and a signed poster. I got sarcastic comments from 14 year old girls with short skirts, fangirling because their idols were on stage. . .

I had an amazing night and it was down to the fact that I got to hug each member of Room 94 (Kieran, Dean, Sean and Kit) and because I didn't have a panic attack. I was worried beforehand because I didn't know where The Waterfront was and what time we'd be let in. I was worried that people I'd know would be there (Holly and Becky from a youth group I used to go to were there but we only said hi) These little worries didn't lead up to a panic attack or make me super anxious. I'm glad I got to enjoy the gig without anything bad happening.

I think the only sad/bad thing about the gig was that I was probably one of the oldest people there (except Becky, my Mum and other parents) because all the other girls were around 14. (I'm generalising but it seemed that way) Also, one of these girls was smoking an e-cigarette when she was waiting in the line, she commented that she was going to be "15 in like 10 days" so why was she smoking? She's way too young to smoke and e-cigarettes are for people trying to give up smoking aren't they?

Dean Lemon

Kieran Lemon

Kit Tanton

Sean Lemon

What are your thoughts about gigs/concerts? Most gigs are 14+ entry, do you think that's too low or too high of an age rating? 

That's it for now, 

Kazia x

Summer!

My summer plans include. . .

• Family holiday
• Making friendship bracelets
• Sending happy mail to my pen pals
• Planning meet ups with UEbAes
• Decorating my Erin Condren Life Planner (when it arrives)
• Reading all the books on my TBR shelf
• Blogging every day
• Taking a spontaneous trip to London with my Mum
• Gain work experience for my university course (working for the BBC or something)

What are your plans for the summer?

That's it for now,

Kazia x

UEA Open Day!

Today was the best day! I love walking around campus and listening to lectures about what I will learn on my degree course over the next four years. Today was especially good because we had a tour of the Television Studio which is one of the things I am really looking forward to. It was great to be in this community and feel so welcomed by staff and students. I also looked at one of the rooms in halls. It's not the one I'll be staying in as it was adapted for a disabled student but it is around the same size as the twin room I'm hoping to share with Ewa (- en suite bathroom) I love listening to the Student Ambassadors because their experiences are all unique - Dolly and Michelle both loved staying in halls because everyone in the flat hangs out in the communal "living" area and your 8-15 flatmates become your closest friends over your first year.

The weirdest thing about today was that out of the 200 people in my year group that I went to high school with and around 60 that I went to college with, the one person I saw that I knew was one of my primary school teachers! She came out of the lecture and I looked at her because I was sure she was my teacher, then the recognition washed over her face as she realised who I was. It was good to see a familiar face; we talk regularly on Facebook.

One thing that made today special was the fact that my Nanny died three years ago today. I lit a candle before we went to UEA and said a prayer for her. (I'm not particularly religious but I consciously kept her in my thoughts today) I know that my Nanny would be so proud of me by getting offered a place at university and getting through all my exams. I really hope I get the grades so that I can prove I deserve my place at university.

This made me think of when I started my first year of high school. I wrote letters back and forth to Nanny over that summer about how much I was looking forward to starting a new school and making new friends. I kept the letters she wrote to me under my pillow to keep them safe, now I don't know where they are which makes me really anxious. (I should have taken better care of them) I hope someone has kept my letters to Nanny safe, I'd hate for them to be lost.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Hopeful!

I have followed Carrie Hope Fletcher (ItsWayPastMyBedTime) for a long long time on her social media platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, her blog) and she calls her community of fans "The Hopefuls". 

I love the people in Carrie's community because she has made a positive, happy place where we can all chat and share "secrets" like a group of girls having a sleepover together!

So, I joined "Hopefuls" - a closed group - on Facebook, about a month ago (maybe longer?) and it is the best community ever. I'm not even exaggerating! The group mainly consists of females as this is Carrie's main audience but they are also a few males. Everyone shares their thoughts and opinions there and aren't afraid of asking for help and advice.

Today I felt ready to share the link to my blog and my Tumblr. I haven't shared these before because I was nervous about the reaction. I never created these accounts in order to gain an audience, that's just a bonus. This blog is still very private as it only has one (very lovely) follower. My Tumblr has around 800 followers (of which I know two in real life and one is a very close friend who actually lives in Australia - crazy!) I don't know how I gained so many followers, when I first started it (in 2012) I was in a very bad place. It was just before I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression - I went into hospital in April, moved in with my Dad the day I got out of hospital and then took 3 months off school.

I think the Hopefuls, my blog and Tumblr have all helped me get through the worst of my diagnosis. I'm finally feeling closer to the end of the tunnel. I would describe depression as being in a deep, dark hole where there's a ladder but it's too short for you to reach so your closest friends and family have to become part of the ladder so you can climb out. I feel that I'm around half way, I've been here several times before and fallen back down but this is my time, I feel that I can do it this time.

Going to university in September is a big pressure, getting the grades for university is going to be difficult. My first exam is on 5th June (Media Studies), my second is on 15th June (Geography - Unit 3) and my third is on 19th June. I took my 15 hour Photography exam at the end of April/start of May, it is completely finished and I'm not sure if I feel relieved or not. I hate waiting for results day (13th August) because you can't really celebrate during the summer - I'm constantly thinking if I don't get high enough grades, my celebrations will be for nothing.

I don't want to end negatively so I guess the point of this post is to say thank you. I am grateful for the Hopeful community, for starting my Tumblr when I was at my worst and for starting my blog when I needed some space to myself.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Vintage!

A random fact about me is that I like everything vintage!

Cameras,  typewriters, 1950s style dresses, floral, hand written letters, etc

Today I picked up a vintage cameras (produced in the 1980s, I believe) and I ordered a polaroid camera! I love that they're not digital which means I have less control over the final result. I can't go back and delete photographs or take 10 of the same thing at slightly different angles so I can later decide which one is best in Photoshop. I have a set number of exposures and I have to choose my photographs carefully, I like this approach. It makes me more aware of what I want in my photographs.

I have been pen palling since August 2014 (I may have mentioned this before) and I love it! I love writing and receiving letters that have been handwritten, someone's taken the time, love and care to create this letter by hand rather than typing an email or a message on Facebook which could have been edited 10 times over. I love waiting for my letters to arrive! I love the anticipation rather than the instant connection. Recently, with the trend of "Pocket Letters" created by Janette Lane, I've spent even more time composing my letters and choosing the goodies that I want to include.

I love "cute" stuff that you might find on Pinterest. The popular Tumblr posts of fairy lights, candles, polaroid photographs, bunting, bedroom walls covered in posters and photographs. Everything is chic and sophisticated. I love pastel colours - creams, white, light pink, mint.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

University Advice!

I have applied to study Film and Television Studies with a Foundation Year at the UEA and I have a conditional offer. I am very excited and also extremely nervous so I thought I'd share some of things I've learnt through my application process and my journey to Higher Education.

Firstly, remember that University is not for everyone, there are many other options you can choose and your parents/teachers should not be forcing you to go if it is something you are not 100% happy about.

Apply for the course and University that you feel is best for you. Something you are passionate about and will enjoy for three/four years. It is a long time and it is supposed to be fun so make your decisions wisely. Choose a University that you love rather than the closest one or the one that your big brother went to. Sure, if you like those ones then go for it but definitely visit a couple before making your final choice. I chose UEA because I am 100% happy when I go there, the staff make it feel like home already! Yes, it is the closest one to home but I made my decision because I want to stay close to my family and I don't do well when I'm away from them for long stretches of time.

Talk to people that are going to be on your course/freshers before you go. I have spoken to so many lovely people via Facebook and they are the most amazing group of friends I've ever made! I feel like I've known them for years and I love that they all have unique personalities. I started texting Callum a few weeks ago and we literally never run out of things to say. Ash, Travis, Ellie, Sarah, Sarah, Leanne, Kam, Zoe, Ewa, Mattia, even though you're crazy, you are genuinely the greatest bunch of people and I love you! I can't wait for September. I'll be making tea and cakes for me and Ewa whilst everyone else goes out clubbing! Hahaaa 

Think about your accommodation. Will you be able to live at home or would you rather live in halls? Do you want to share a bathroom with other people in your flat or have an en suite? Campus or village? Do you want to have a twin room so you can share with a friend? I'm pretty certain that I'm going to share a twin room with Ewa! She is the loveliest girl in the world and one of my best friends!

Organise a meet up before you start university. This is something we have decided to do and I'm really looking forward to it! Some of the group live in London so they've never seen the night life of Norwich before so we're having a meal together and then going clubbing. I've never been clubbing before so it'll be a new experience for me too.

Don't be nervous, stay positive. It sounds cliche, but everyone is in the same boat as you. It's likely they've never lived away from home before and they don't know anyone else. Make friends, be confident, keep your chin up. I am guilty of being the shyest person in the world, I get nervous in social situations. I have anxiety and suffer from panic attacks. Sometimes people don't understand what I'm trying to say or I don't understand them because I have Asperger's Syndrome and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It is very personal to me and I don't talk about it very often. These disabilities stop me from going out with my friends to parties at the weekends, they stop me from using public transport because I get scared and stress myself out. What if there's a delay and my train is late or I get to wherever too late to get on the next train? What if the bus doesn't arrive on time? What if there's no seats and I have to sit next to a stranger? What if?

I haven't been posting for a long while and life has been crazy but I wanted to share this because University is going to be a new start for me.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Thoughts on Mental Health!

I have suffered from depression, anxiety and panic attacks since 2012 which has made my life difficult to cope with. Sometimes I've thought that life isn't worth living and I took a negative approach towards every situation.

Having being diagnosed by a psychiatrist, I have learnt some coping methods that have helped me.

Personally, I believe mental health hasn't been discussed enough or in enough depth. But when it is discussed I feel lots of people self-diagnosed because they've been in a similar situation to someone at one point in their life and then it's gone. This is not the same as having a disorder that has been diagnosed by a health professional where the problem isn't solved overnight.

It's frustrating because we need to discuss mental health but most of the comments I see on YouTube and other places are of young people who believe there is something wrong with them even though there may not be.

I'm not sure how to start my own discussion on mental health. Jacksgap and Dollybowbow have great videos that explain it better than I can. As mental health becomes more well-known, more people will self-diagnose.

What are your thoughts?

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Social Media!

I spend a lot of time on the internet. . . these are a few places I go to all the time and why!

• Instagram

1. Accessible from my phone
2. All of my pen pals and some of my closest friendships have been made through Instagram (I love you all!) 

• YouTube

1. Daily vlogs
2. Planners, Filofaxes, Stationary
3. Study tips and organisation

• Pinterest

1. Inspiration
2. Negative is that I like so many pictures in one go that a message pops up "Error: You've hit a block, try again later" which really pisses me off because I have so much fun on there! Does anyone know how to stop this from happening?

• Twitter

1. Ranting - I can say simple things that have a lot of hidden meanings that only I know about 
2. Interaction with celebrities (I never get replies though)

• Facebook

1. Games
2. Boredom
3. I used to spend so much time on Facebook but it just seems boring now and so I only use it to upload my favourite photographs or update my status when something really exciting happens

• Tumblr

1. I found Tumblr in 2012 and got addicted quickly but I haven't used it for months because like Facebook it gets boring and I think I've exhausted all the #hashtags

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Broadchurch!

When I heard David Tennant would be in a new ITV Drama in 2013, I was obviously excited because I have followed his career for quite a few years.

In Series 1, Danny Latimer is murdered. It is very intense and emotional; it is also easy to follow the characters and become attached to them. (I tend to talk to the TV a lot!)

Series 2 aired on January 5th and I just finished watching Episode 3 tonight. 

As I get attached to the storyline, I get more and more frustrated with several things:

1. ITV has adverts every 15 minutes and they last for around 3-5 minutes so you tend to lose track of what happened in each 15 minute chunk of the programme
2. My parents and step sister don't get as involved in the storyline as I do and therefore they talk through it! This is the worst thing because I feel like every second and every camera shot is significant. If I lose focus by listening to them talking, I completely miss what is happening on screen.
3. If I lose focus (see 2.) I cannot rewind it because we don't have that option.
4. My Dad says I should just watch it online so they can watch other programmes - firstly it is the only programme I watch once a week and secondly there's something about watching it on television that makes it better. (Like books, I'd rather have a physical copy than an eBook or online version)

I really want to talk in more depth and detail about the storyline and plot points but I know that many people haven't watched it because they either live outside of the UK or they are crazy (no offence) and choose not to watch it.

I don't want to ruin anything for anyone that happens to read this post, I just wanted to rant because I'm annoyed that my family don't appreciate the programme as much as I do. Also i love reading the tweets on the characters' Twitter accounts, DI Hardy is hilarious!

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Revision and Exams!

As I'm in my second year of A Levels, I've been focusing on my Mock Exams that are this week. I had it in the back of my mind all over Christmas and I set some time aside to sit down and plan out a Revision timetable.

Here are a few great websites/blogs I found here, here, here and here.

My top techniques to help me revise are:

• Organisation

Make a timetable and stick to it! Schedule in school/college including free periods. Add in 10 minute breaks for every 45 minutes of revision.

• Distractions

Take away phones, laptops and any other distractions. Clean up the work space such as a desk or kitchen table.

• Learning styles - Take this test to find out about Multiple Intelligences

Visual - Mind maps, flash cards, highlighted notes, diagrams.

Kinesthetic - Create songs, associate words with actions.

Auditory - Listen to music, listen to podcasts, record yourself reading notes and replay them.

• Rewrite notes

When I get home from college I try to rewrite my notes from each of my classes so that the information stays fresh in my mind. Repetition also helps to retain information. I also like to make sure I fully understand the notes I've made and maybe go back to the textbook, use AQA's website or other revision sites to enhance my notes. Reading around the subject is really important, especially at university when you're expected to read more in and around the subject without the tutor/lecturer's advice.

• Highlight notes/hand outs

I highlight the key words in my notes and hand outs and then rewrite them on flash cards that I can test myself from.

• Past Papers

I always find past papers on the AQA website really helpful and write out the questions so that I can answer them and ask my teachers to mark them for me.

• Model Answers

I write out the full-marked answers so that I can highlight and take key points from. I then revise and review them so I know what to expect in the exam.

Separate from revising and studying, I always go to bed early the night before my exams. It's good to get at least 8 hours sleep on any night especially the night before. It is also important to drink water before and during the exam and eating a good breakfast that is full of protein to keep your brain active. Some people like to chew gum or mints during the exam because it is (apparently) good for your brain (according to scientific research!) I would also advise to chew gum or mints while revising because your brain will associate this in the exam with your revision and you'll be able to recall what you've studied quicker.

Remember to include the most obvious points in your answers. It might seem silly but it'll boost your marks and you might even go up a grade. Also, remember to do your best because exams and grades do not define you as a person, they are only a small aspect of your life and it won't be the end of the world if you don't get the results you were aiming for.

My first exam is tomorrow (Geography) so I'm now going to review my notes before watching Broadchurch (Series 2, Episode 2) and then getting a good night's sleep.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Inspiration!

Inspiration can hit at any time, day or night. It's not subjective to time, so if it's 3am and you've got an idea running around your brain like a headless chicken, write it down as quickly as you can so you don't forget it!

As I write this, Smudge insists on sitting on my lap so I apologise in advance if there are any random characters she may have typed in...

Anyway, I have been thinking about the things that inspire me for a little while now and I've come up with a list:

1. Colours and patterns
2. Tea (Carrie and Ella)
3. Smudge
4. My pen pals
5. Crochet

Firstly, I am a visual learner. When revising I like to highlight the key points and circle important topics in a rainbow of colour because it makes the page pretty and appealing and it helps me to remember the information. I can associate different areas with different colours. I also like patterns, large polka dots or candy stripes are my favourites because they are probably the most simplistic.

When I watch Carrie (It'sWayPastMyBedTime - Carrie Hope Fletcher) and Ella's (EllaWelly) videos, they always have a mug of tea. It's just a simple thing but it triggers something in my head that they've made the effort to switch their cameras on and talk for a few minutes about nothing in particular. So I feel the need to make myself a cup of tea, tuck myself under my blanket and hide myself away with my headphones on. (Especially when I don't have any homework to do!)

Smudge is one of my best friends! It seems crazy but I expect many people talk to their pets without expecting any response, just a kiss or purring as a sign of acknowledgement. I talk to Smudge all the time! (and moving into halls for university in September is going to be one of the scariest processes I'll ever experience because I won't have Smudge alongside me)

I started writing to people at the end of August, after opening an Instagram account and finding Diana's #quiltypenpals group! I have received 56 letters from all over the world (at my last count in December) I have expanded the number of pen pals I send letters to to around 35 people! I love sending letters as much as I love receiving them because everyone is so creative - decorating the envelopes and taking time with every detail!

Finally, I started crocheting when I was in primary school but I stopped for a few years. My Step Mum bought me a crochet set for Christmas 2014 and now I am literally addicted! I crochet pretty much every night now and I'm making a huge, beautiful, blanket to go on my bed at university. When I snuggle under this blanket, I'll be able to think of my family and be reminded of them every day. I love seeing everyone's projects on Instagram, the photographs are stunning and I get a lot of ideas from these posts.

What five things inspire you?

That's it for now,

Kazia x