So the film the whole world seems to be talking about at the moment is La La Land and I finally managed to see it this past weekend as a post-exam treat! (thanks for paying for my ticket mum and dad lol) No spoilers!!
Mini-review- first things first, this has to be one of the prettiest films I have ever seen in terms of direction and cinematography. Every scene was clearly so well thought out in terms of colour scheme, position of props etc etc. Visually, it was just stunning to look at - that goes for the costumes as well. The music was just lovely, recurring themes woven throughout them and City of Stars has quickly become a new favourite of mine.
Emma Stone was superb as per usual, she captured the character of Mia delightfully (I am slightly biased though as I love anything she does). Ryan Gosling was also very good as Sebastian, however I personally felt his character was slightly dull but that was not necessarily his fault.
I think my main issue with this film was the fact when you strip away the music, the pretty songs and scenery, the story is essentially kind of boring and definitely a story Hollywood has done before. Girl meets boy, blah blah blah. However, the callbacks to the old Hollywood musicals like Singing in the Rain, Casablanca etc were a lovely touch and making it a modern love story was interesting.
On the whole, I'd recommend it and I would say it is worthy of it's nominations in the award shows especially in the case of direction and cinematography as I am still thinking about how beautifully some of the scenes were shot.
Soz for the short length of this; I'm planning bigger and better posts to come.
Thanks for reading, Laura x
Monday, 30 January 2017
Saturday, 14 January 2017
general ramblings about mental health at university
Having been a semi-successful university student for a year and a half now, I have some thoughts. Not only about what university has meant for me/done for me, but about growing up in general I guess. I'm halfway through my second year now and I should be revising instead of writing this but I said I was gonna write something every week and damn it I am going to.
Number one - you're on your own kid.
I mean I know it's kinda obvious when you go to university, you're suddenly away from your home, your family, your friends and familiar surroundings. But it didn't really hit me until I shut the door to my tiny little room last year after saying bye to my parents. I turned round, looked at the bare walls and my belongings (that didn't look right out of my bedroom at home)...and burst into tears. Anyone who knows me knows I am such a home-bird and being away suddenly felt like I'd made a huge mistake. I wasn't ready to live independently!
As it turns out, I was ready to live independently and it's all just nerves taking over. I had lovely flatmates (well bar one but we won't talk about him) and everyone is in the same boat. Talk to people, ask for help and breathe deeply if it's getting too much.
Number two - mental health and self-care
I've always been an anxious person - I worry too much, I stress about very trivial things and I'm very paranoid when it comes to friendships, I don't really know why. But it was during the first term at university, things started to get quite bad. I became afraid to leave my little room in my flat essentially due to the fear something would go wrong in public. I had been diagnosed with stress-related IBS ...so when I had a bad flare-up in a lecture (essentially it was a horrendous stomach cramp that left me feeling like I was gonna throw up everywhere) my brain started to associate my stomach issues to lectures. Therefore lectures became a scary place to be. Which then latched itself onto any public place ... the shops, seminars, where I volunteered. It was scary and unfamiliar to me. I shut myself away a lot of the time which didn't help. Eventually I went to the doctor who referred me to a counsellor. I was told I had agoraphobia - the fear of public spaces - as well as some general anxiety that reinforced it. It sounds dumb I know but it was nice to put a name to the thing that had been bothering me for a long time. After two months of working on this, I began to feel better. I could tell the voice in my head to shut up, that I was fine, nothing bad was going to happen. I began to enjoy my studies again.
Mental health is so bloody important, never ever neglect it. If you need to spend a day eating junk food and watching crappy tv, you do it. Forget your deadlines (not completely tho) and take care of yourself. Have a bath, read a book, even just going for a walk may help clear your hand and calm you down. I'd never really had to look after myself in such a way before but now I know it's super-important that you take breaks. If I'm getting overwhelmed, it's time to go to talk to my housemate or watch a YouTube video or listen to a song. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU'RE A DELIGHT OKAY <3
Number three- nightlife
Due to the whole 'I-don't-like-public-spaces' thing, I really hate nightclubs. Give me a cider and a pub quiz any day of the week instead of having to pay stupid entry fees to be squished up against drunk strangers. I don't really drink as it is, I know my limits and I very rarely go beyond them. University if you don't drink (or don't drink that much) is kinda weird as it's a thing everyone does. I don't like going out, it's just not my thing. But that's okay, you'll find like-minded people. Even if you don't and a lot of your friends do like going out (which mine do) you'll find they won't really judge you for it. I may have been lucky in this sense however so don't take my word for it. It's all a case of you do you I think. I won't judge you for going out as long as you don't judge me for not. This works probs 99% of the time. Yes this does tie into mental health.... because you gotta do stuff you enjoy, you can't just force yourself into situations cause you think it's what others do. That's only gonna lead to you feeling worse. I can promise that.
There is probably more I could go into but I think I'll save some stuff for another blogpost...
see ya next week.
Laura x
Number one - you're on your own kid.
I mean I know it's kinda obvious when you go to university, you're suddenly away from your home, your family, your friends and familiar surroundings. But it didn't really hit me until I shut the door to my tiny little room last year after saying bye to my parents. I turned round, looked at the bare walls and my belongings (that didn't look right out of my bedroom at home)...and burst into tears. Anyone who knows me knows I am such a home-bird and being away suddenly felt like I'd made a huge mistake. I wasn't ready to live independently!
As it turns out, I was ready to live independently and it's all just nerves taking over. I had lovely flatmates (well bar one but we won't talk about him) and everyone is in the same boat. Talk to people, ask for help and breathe deeply if it's getting too much.
Number two - mental health and self-care
I've always been an anxious person - I worry too much, I stress about very trivial things and I'm very paranoid when it comes to friendships, I don't really know why. But it was during the first term at university, things started to get quite bad. I became afraid to leave my little room in my flat essentially due to the fear something would go wrong in public. I had been diagnosed with stress-related IBS ...so when I had a bad flare-up in a lecture (essentially it was a horrendous stomach cramp that left me feeling like I was gonna throw up everywhere) my brain started to associate my stomach issues to lectures. Therefore lectures became a scary place to be. Which then latched itself onto any public place ... the shops, seminars, where I volunteered. It was scary and unfamiliar to me. I shut myself away a lot of the time which didn't help. Eventually I went to the doctor who referred me to a counsellor. I was told I had agoraphobia - the fear of public spaces - as well as some general anxiety that reinforced it. It sounds dumb I know but it was nice to put a name to the thing that had been bothering me for a long time. After two months of working on this, I began to feel better. I could tell the voice in my head to shut up, that I was fine, nothing bad was going to happen. I began to enjoy my studies again.
Mental health is so bloody important, never ever neglect it. If you need to spend a day eating junk food and watching crappy tv, you do it. Forget your deadlines (not completely tho) and take care of yourself. Have a bath, read a book, even just going for a walk may help clear your hand and calm you down. I'd never really had to look after myself in such a way before but now I know it's super-important that you take breaks. If I'm getting overwhelmed, it's time to go to talk to my housemate or watch a YouTube video or listen to a song. LOOK AFTER YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU'RE A DELIGHT OKAY <3
Number three- nightlife
Due to the whole 'I-don't-like-public-spaces' thing, I really hate nightclubs. Give me a cider and a pub quiz any day of the week instead of having to pay stupid entry fees to be squished up against drunk strangers. I don't really drink as it is, I know my limits and I very rarely go beyond them. University if you don't drink (or don't drink that much) is kinda weird as it's a thing everyone does. I don't like going out, it's just not my thing. But that's okay, you'll find like-minded people. Even if you don't and a lot of your friends do like going out (which mine do) you'll find they won't really judge you for it. I may have been lucky in this sense however so don't take my word for it. It's all a case of you do you I think. I won't judge you for going out as long as you don't judge me for not. This works probs 99% of the time. Yes this does tie into mental health.... because you gotta do stuff you enjoy, you can't just force yourself into situations cause you think it's what others do. That's only gonna lead to you feeling worse. I can promise that.
There is probably more I could go into but I think I'll save some stuff for another blogpost...
see ya next week.
Laura x
Tuesday, 3 January 2017
2017 - I may finally stick to this???
I'm pretty sure since I was 15, I've been saying 'I'm gonna write a blog' and my own laziness/the feeling nobody really cared if I was writing anything or not took over and I just didn't stick to it.
However, I'm 20 now. I can write better than I used to (I think anyway), I still have a lot to say on various matters ... some important, some not so much.
My New Year's Resolution is to try and write a blog post every week about something and to try and not give one if no-one else is reading because I shouldn't do it for other people, it should be for me.
It may not happen....but we're gonna give it a go because for once, I want to stick to something that I said I was going to!
Let's do this thing. New post to be up some point this week until I get my life sorted enough to figure out a decent day to write and stuff.
For now though folks, peace out
Laura x
However, I'm 20 now. I can write better than I used to (I think anyway), I still have a lot to say on various matters ... some important, some not so much.
My New Year's Resolution is to try and write a blog post every week about something and to try and not give one if no-one else is reading because I shouldn't do it for other people, it should be for me.
It may not happen....but we're gonna give it a go because for once, I want to stick to something that I said I was going to!
Let's do this thing. New post to be up some point this week until I get my life sorted enough to figure out a decent day to write and stuff.
For now though folks, peace out
Laura x
Friday, 27 March 2015
#100Things
I know, it's madness, two blogs posts in two days! I was inspired by the wonderful RJ Aguiar (or TheNotAdam on Youtube) and this video of his in which he listed 100 things that make him happy and he encouraged others to do the same to spread the postivity so I thought I would do the same as blog post. So here goes!
1. My family
2. My friends
3. Pizza
4. Freshly baked cookies
5. Bagels
6. My bed
7. Books
8. Harry Potter
9. Game of Thrones
10. Doctor Who
11. Darren Criss
12. Movies with Emma Thompson
13. Movies with Helena Bonham Carter
14. Driving
15. Scrubs
16. Friends (the show)
17. Panel shows like Would I Lie to You
18. Coke and Vodka
19. Youtube vlogs
20. McFly
21. Queen
22. Dogs
23. Cats
24. Corgi puppies in particular
25. History
26. Musicals
27. Old photos
28. Remembering something funny
29. Random unexpected compliments from people
30. Birthdays
31. Christmas
32. Peaches
33. Apple frozen yoghurt
34. When my hair gets blonder in the sun
35. Picnics
36. Striking up conversations with shop or waiting staff in places
37. The weather when it's not too cold but not too warm
38. New York City
39. Devon
40. Stand up comedy
41. Gavin and Stacey
42. Salted popcorn
43. Nail varnish going right first time
44. Pjyamas
45. Criminal Case
46. My old stuffed animals
47. Complimenting other people
48. Hoodies
49. Jeans
50. Body confident days
51. Seeing a friend truly happy
52. Hugs
53. Shoulder massages
54. Strawberries
55. Horses
56. Horse riding
57. The colour blue
58. Fish and chips at the beach
59. My onesie
60. Baking
61. Cooking for other people
62. My bracelets
63. Tumblr
64. Writing
65. Singing to myself
66. Singing to myself whilst driving
67. Nights in
68. Being inside and cosy when I can hear the rain outside
69. Cups of tea
70. Inside jokes
71. Lush bath bombs
72. TruffleShuffle.com
73. My glass dragon from Rome
74. Benefit make up
75. Buying gifts for people
76. Seeing people open gifts
77. Camden Market
78. Not having to redo eye make up
79. Diet Coke
80. Smoothies
81. Cake
82. Jelly Beans
83. Pub quizzes
84. Learning something new
85. Telling someone else something new
86. Bowling
87. Hot Tubs
88. Theme parks
89. Hull Fair
90. Vintage/craft stalls
91. Marvel Cinematic Universe
92. Paper Towns
93. Someone leaning their head on my shoulder
94. Fluffy socks
95. Being told my outfit looks good
96. Fairy lights
97. Fast internet connections
98. Sherlock/Elementary
99. High fives going perfectly
100. Making other people laugh
I realise a lot of these were food related....
Anyway, thanks for reading :)
1. My family
2. My friends
3. Pizza
4. Freshly baked cookies
5. Bagels
6. My bed
7. Books
8. Harry Potter
9. Game of Thrones
10. Doctor Who
11. Darren Criss
12. Movies with Emma Thompson
13. Movies with Helena Bonham Carter
14. Driving
15. Scrubs
16. Friends (the show)
17. Panel shows like Would I Lie to You
18. Coke and Vodka
19. Youtube vlogs
20. McFly
21. Queen
22. Dogs
23. Cats
24. Corgi puppies in particular
25. History
26. Musicals
27. Old photos
28. Remembering something funny
29. Random unexpected compliments from people
30. Birthdays
31. Christmas
32. Peaches
33. Apple frozen yoghurt
34. When my hair gets blonder in the sun
35. Picnics
36. Striking up conversations with shop or waiting staff in places
37. The weather when it's not too cold but not too warm
38. New York City
39. Devon
40. Stand up comedy
41. Gavin and Stacey
42. Salted popcorn
43. Nail varnish going right first time
44. Pjyamas
45. Criminal Case
46. My old stuffed animals
47. Complimenting other people
48. Hoodies
49. Jeans
50. Body confident days
51. Seeing a friend truly happy
52. Hugs
53. Shoulder massages
54. Strawberries
55. Horses
56. Horse riding
57. The colour blue
58. Fish and chips at the beach
59. My onesie
60. Baking
61. Cooking for other people
62. My bracelets
63. Tumblr
64. Writing
65. Singing to myself
66. Singing to myself whilst driving
67. Nights in
68. Being inside and cosy when I can hear the rain outside
69. Cups of tea
70. Inside jokes
71. Lush bath bombs
72. TruffleShuffle.com
73. My glass dragon from Rome
74. Benefit make up
75. Buying gifts for people
76. Seeing people open gifts
77. Camden Market
78. Not having to redo eye make up
79. Diet Coke
80. Smoothies
81. Cake
82. Jelly Beans
83. Pub quizzes
84. Learning something new
85. Telling someone else something new
86. Bowling
87. Hot Tubs
88. Theme parks
89. Hull Fair
90. Vintage/craft stalls
91. Marvel Cinematic Universe
92. Paper Towns
93. Someone leaning their head on my shoulder
94. Fluffy socks
95. Being told my outfit looks good
96. Fairy lights
97. Fast internet connections
98. Sherlock/Elementary
99. High fives going perfectly
100. Making other people laugh
I realise a lot of these were food related....
Anyway, thanks for reading :)
Thursday, 26 March 2015
Doctor Who tag!
Hello, I know it's been a while. Life has been pretty hectic the past few months and is about to get even more so with exams and stuff but today as it is 10 years since the Doctor Who reboot began, a show which has had a wonderful impact on my life, I have decided to do the Doctor Who tag as a post today.
(As these tag posts are pretty easy to do and I love writing them I may start trying to do a few more until I can get back into proper blogger mode)
1. Who's your favorite Doctor?
My favourite Doctor has to be Matt Smith (I know slighly controversial). Don't get me wrong, I love David Tennant's Doctor also but for me, Matt Smith's episodes always put a smile on my face, his enthusiam is outstanding and I think his Doctor is just someone I'd get on with. The David Tennant Doctor has always been a little off with me as if I'm honest, I hated Rose as a companion with him, I never liked the fact they fell in love blah blah blah, it's just too overdone.
2. What’s your favorite Doctor Who story or episode?
My favourite story (one that spread over a few episodes) has to be the Harold Saxon/The Master story arc, I thought it was genius and just a really gripping story to watch. However, my favourite episode is The Curse of the Black Spot.... no idea why, I just really love that episode.
3. Who’s your favorite companion?
I honestly can't decide between Donna and Amy; I love them both for different reasons and I can't pick. They are also closely followed by Rory - he is wonderful and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.
4. What was the first Doctor Who story/episode you ever watched?
Rose - the very first one back with Christopher Eccelstone, I remember my dad being so excited it was back and he told me all about it being a show from when he was a kid. I just fell in love with it there and then!
5. What’s your favorite series or era?
I think it has to be Matt Smith's first series with Amy and Rory. I loved the stories, I loved the characters, that's what I think of when I think Doctor Who.
6. What is your favorite pre or post regeneration story?
I really like the David Tennant pre regeneration story where he goes back and visits his various companions to say goodbye. I think it's just so heart-breaking but lovely at the same time.
7. What is your favorite Tardis desktop theme?
Matt Smith's first one by far! So pretty.
8. What’s your favorite villain or monster?
I do like the Daleks but I also think the Slitheen are pretty good too!
So that's that!
Until next time, Laura. x
(As these tag posts are pretty easy to do and I love writing them I may start trying to do a few more until I can get back into proper blogger mode)
1. Who's your favorite Doctor?
My favourite Doctor has to be Matt Smith (I know slighly controversial). Don't get me wrong, I love David Tennant's Doctor also but for me, Matt Smith's episodes always put a smile on my face, his enthusiam is outstanding and I think his Doctor is just someone I'd get on with. The David Tennant Doctor has always been a little off with me as if I'm honest, I hated Rose as a companion with him, I never liked the fact they fell in love blah blah blah, it's just too overdone.
2. What’s your favorite Doctor Who story or episode?
My favourite story (one that spread over a few episodes) has to be the Harold Saxon/The Master story arc, I thought it was genius and just a really gripping story to watch. However, my favourite episode is The Curse of the Black Spot.... no idea why, I just really love that episode.
3. Who’s your favorite companion?
I honestly can't decide between Donna and Amy; I love them both for different reasons and I can't pick. They are also closely followed by Rory - he is wonderful and I will fight anyone who says otherwise.
4. What was the first Doctor Who story/episode you ever watched?
Rose - the very first one back with Christopher Eccelstone, I remember my dad being so excited it was back and he told me all about it being a show from when he was a kid. I just fell in love with it there and then!
5. What’s your favorite series or era?
I think it has to be Matt Smith's first series with Amy and Rory. I loved the stories, I loved the characters, that's what I think of when I think Doctor Who.
6. What is your favorite pre or post regeneration story?
I really like the David Tennant pre regeneration story where he goes back and visits his various companions to say goodbye. I think it's just so heart-breaking but lovely at the same time.
7. What is your favorite Tardis desktop theme?
Matt Smith's first one by far! So pretty.
8. What’s your favorite villain or monster?
I do like the Daleks but I also think the Slitheen are pretty good too!
So that's that!
Until next time, Laura. x
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; A play
Last week, I went to see 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' at Hull New Theatre, produced by the National Theatre.
The book is written by Mark Haddon and it has one of my favourite books, reading it for the first time about five years ago. To give a brief summary with no spoilers, it is about a boy named Christopher who (although it is never said outright) is on the Autism spectrum who finds his neighbour's dog stabbed with a garden fork. Determined to find out who killed 'Wellington', he begins a journey that reveals secrets from his own past and forces him to overcome his own fears.
I was excited to hear the book had been turned into a play and I was not disappointed upon seeing it. Everything was just fantastic; the acting, particuarly the part of Christopher, was outstanding, the use of lighting and the set really brought the rest of the play to life, the adaption is done so well, transitioning from book to stage is hard but I could find little fault. I really would highly recommend you to go see this while it is still on tour for the next few weeks if you are inclined to do so.
I am a bit of a theatre baby, I've always loved the stage but never have I been to a play like this where every single audience member, of all ages I might add, are all giving it their full attention. It really did capture the whole theatre and that was wonderful to see. At the interval, there was a general chatter about the room of just how good it was.
I realise I sound like I'm raving about it but I just cannot find fault. I give it a solid 10/10!
Anyway that is all for now people, I hope to have some new blogs posted in the next week!
Thanks for reading, Laura x
The book is written by Mark Haddon and it has one of my favourite books, reading it for the first time about five years ago. To give a brief summary with no spoilers, it is about a boy named Christopher who (although it is never said outright) is on the Autism spectrum who finds his neighbour's dog stabbed with a garden fork. Determined to find out who killed 'Wellington', he begins a journey that reveals secrets from his own past and forces him to overcome his own fears.
I was excited to hear the book had been turned into a play and I was not disappointed upon seeing it. Everything was just fantastic; the acting, particuarly the part of Christopher, was outstanding, the use of lighting and the set really brought the rest of the play to life, the adaption is done so well, transitioning from book to stage is hard but I could find little fault. I really would highly recommend you to go see this while it is still on tour for the next few weeks if you are inclined to do so.
I am a bit of a theatre baby, I've always loved the stage but never have I been to a play like this where every single audience member, of all ages I might add, are all giving it their full attention. It really did capture the whole theatre and that was wonderful to see. At the interval, there was a general chatter about the room of just how good it was.
Anyway that is all for now people, I hope to have some new blogs posted in the next week!
Thanks for reading, Laura x
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
2014 in review
Seeing as it is the last day of 2014, I thought I might just write a little reflection post on what this year was like for me/it just gives me a chance to post some pictures that I like ;)
All in all, it's been pretty damn good, however there have certainly been low points but I guess that is the same for everybody.
This was the year I've had to grow up considerably I think, what with university decisions, exams (which did not go to plan so I've again had to rethink that I'm doing with my life), health problems caused by stress, having to deal with being forced to quit by my place of work, friendships turning sour but new ones and some old ones being stronger than ever.
I turned 18 in November so I'm offically an adult now.....an adult who wore a Tigger onesie the majority of yesterday and hid in her sister's room for around half an hour in order to make her jump. So while I'm not fully grown up yet (and I'm not sure I ever want to be) I have had to deal with stuff this year that has matured me and hopefully made me a better person for it.
I guess I also want to write a note to my family and friends for this year. I may argue with my family at times but I think 2015 might be rather difficult for us given the health of a grandparent at the moment so I love you all and thank you for always, always having my back. My group of friends are all so wonderful and caring, and I am so grateful I have them in my life. I don't tell them enough because urgh soppiness but I have much love for them too. Thank you to everyone who has made my 2014 excellent or has been there through the awful bits.
To relieve some memories that happened this year, here are some pictures:
I am going to apologise for the formatting but I don't have time to make it pretty today I'm afraid :P
Very quickly, my New Year's Resolutions are:
All in all, it's been pretty damn good, however there have certainly been low points but I guess that is the same for everybody.
This was the year I've had to grow up considerably I think, what with university decisions, exams (which did not go to plan so I've again had to rethink that I'm doing with my life), health problems caused by stress, having to deal with being forced to quit by my place of work, friendships turning sour but new ones and some old ones being stronger than ever.
I turned 18 in November so I'm offically an adult now.....an adult who wore a Tigger onesie the majority of yesterday and hid in her sister's room for around half an hour in order to make her jump. So while I'm not fully grown up yet (and I'm not sure I ever want to be) I have had to deal with stuff this year that has matured me and hopefully made me a better person for it.
I guess I also want to write a note to my family and friends for this year. I may argue with my family at times but I think 2015 might be rather difficult for us given the health of a grandparent at the moment so I love you all and thank you for always, always having my back. My group of friends are all so wonderful and caring, and I am so grateful I have them in my life. I don't tell them enough because urgh soppiness but I have much love for them too. Thank you to everyone who has made my 2014 excellent or has been there through the awful bits.
To relieve some memories that happened this year, here are some pictures:
 |
| Visting Auschwitz, a very harrowing day |
 |
| Meeting the wonderful and talented Carrie Hope Fletcher |
 |
| MCBUSTED. |
 |
| Me, the grandparents, the sister and the cousins on Grandma's 80th |
 |
| Friends <3 |
 |
| The father dearest |
 |
| A kitten I wanted to take home with in Devon |
 |
| Rome |
 |
| Halloween |
 |
| Halloween |
 |
| Birthday hug from the sis |
 |
| Christmas jumpers with momma and sis |
 |
| School xmas party |
 |
| 1920's party |
 |
| 1920's party |
Very quickly, my New Year's Resolutions are:
- Eat healthier
- STOP BITING MY NAILS
- Try and be less lazy
- Write down every book read
- Try and read at least 35 books!
- Do more things with my friends
- Blog more
- PASS MY DRIVING TEST!!!
- and you know get the grades to go to Uni and that.
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