I always mean to post up more than I do, so here goes another "catch-up" phase.
Since I last posted, university life is back in full swing. Second year seems more hectic already but hopefully once I stop procrastinating about this essay that's due soon everything will be fine. I was talking to a friend the other day about our procrastination skills and how every single piece of coursework gets done on time despite our delayed starts and persistent attempts to prevent ourselves from doing it in the first place (we're masters!).
Over the last week or so (well, the weekends anyway), the time has been spent with close friends, watching Sherlock amongst other things. 6 episodes of Sherlock in a day is pretty impressive if I do say so myself!
Today I spent my time in town with two of my course buddies. We went to see a show at the theatre as a birthday surprise to one of them. It was fabulous and I'm now going to have to download some songs from the show....there goes the other plans!
Showing posts with label laughs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laughs. Show all posts
Saturday, 18 October 2014
Sunday, 7 September 2014
55 Quirky Questions for readers! (FINALLY)
This has taken me a while to get round to due to my erratic timetable of life at the minute. I shall keep you posted on what is happening/has been happening after this blog post is done.
One of my fellow bloggers posted this up and while reading her answers I found out more about her reading previous to me knowing her....so here goes
1. Favourite Childhood Book?- The Witches by Roald Dahl and the Secret Seven by Enid Blyton. Funnily enough, The Witches started me on my obsession with visiting Norway one day.
2. What are you reading right now?- Currently...I'm listening to the audiobook of Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult (her books really hit a nerve with me, always), Swimming Pool Summer by Rebecca Farnworth (chill-out book) and Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?- None just now, but I need to go fix this tomorrow and request The Trap by Andrew Fukuda (part 3 of The Hunt trilogy).
4. Bad book habit?- I really don't cope well with the spines of books being broken. This means that very few people are allowed to borrow my books.
5. What do you currently have checked out from the library?- From the local library, I have all of the ones I am currently reading plus another 5, and from the library of friends I have at least 5.
6. Do you have an e-reader?- No but I occasionally read Kobo on my tablet.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?- I prefer one at a time, however, if there are audiobooks of longer books involved then there tends to be more of a chance of me reading more than one.
8. Have your reading habits changed since you started blogging?- Not really, though the Goodreads website has influenced by book choices quite a lot over the last year.
9. Least favourite book you’ve read this year?- I can't think of one at the minute...it doesn't occur very often.
10. Favourite book you’ve read this year?- By far, this has got to be The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. This book was both heart wrenching yet it gave you undeniable hope...I can't recommend it enough.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?- More and more recently, I am known for going into book shops and asking for recommendations from those who work there. This is the best way to discover new authors.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?- YA, mainly fantasy/dystopia and Classics.
13. Can you read on the bus?- Only if the bus is air conditioned!
14. Favourite place to read?- Lying in bed or sitting on a comfy chair.
15. What’s your policy on book lending?- I only lend my books to fellow booklovers because I know they will take care of them (direct from another blogger)
16. Do you dog ear your books?- Nope, I couldn't do it even if you paid me!
17. Do you write notes in the margins of your books?- Only school/uni books so I know what to talk about but I still detest it!
18. Do you break the spines of your books?- Not on my watch, unless it is unpreventable (I've read the book many times before...) then okay.
19. What is your favourite language to read?- I've currently only read a screenplay in Italian but I'd love to try reading more in Italian and French :)
20. What makes you love a book?- When I can't process reality after reading some of/all of the book. When the characters come to life and the emotions they are feeling resonates with the reader (The Book Thief)!!
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?- When my emotions are in a mess and I know others will appreciate it as much as I did.
22. Favourite Genre?- Young Adult and the odd romance.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)?- I wish I'd branch more into the Crime genre maybe one day...
24. Favourite Biography?- The Hands of My Father (about a child who grows up with Deaf parents, in other words a CODA) by Myron Uhlberg and Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You by Hanna Jansen (Rwandan Genocide).
25. Have you ever read a self-help book (And, was it actually helpful)?- I don’t think so. Obviously none have made an impact if I have.
26. Favourite Cookbook?- I don't have one currently.
27. Most Inspirational book you’ve read this year?- The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez.
28. Favourite Reading Snack?- I generally don't snack if I'm reading, I'm too engrossed!
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience?- The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. The only reason I finished it was because it was a challenge with a friend to see who could finish first.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?- I don't think I pay them any attention.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?- Everyone has their own opinion, why ruin their reading experience/build up by slating the book?
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?- That's a tough one, I'd very much love to read a book in either Hebrew or Arabic.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve read?- All of the books by Khaled Hosseini, but in the end all of them were thought-provoking and incredibly well written. His books highlight difficult themes and situations which have arisen in the Middle East for people who are far removed from those areas. They are very hard hitting books but they will always stay with me.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?- George R.R Martin's books....Game of Thrones. I've been told a lot about them.
35. Favourite Poet?- Edwin Morgan.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out from the library at any given time?- Normally ranges from 0-9.
37. How often do you return books to the library unread?- It depends, if I haven't read them at that specific time then I will go back and read them in the future.
38. Favourite fictional character?- Favourite is a bit mean.....I'm swamped under with characters. One of my favourites has got to be Sam Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings. On countless occasions I have fallen around laughing from the lines he says.
39. Favourite fictional villain?- Is it allowed to do the most obvious? .....Just to be different I'll choose Barty Crouch Jnr....because of his cunning.
40. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?- A variation of old and new?
41. The longest time you’ve gone without reading?- I don't remember going without reading but I definitely went off of the library for a while.
42. Name a book you could/would not finish?- This is very rare indeed. I think it might have been The Secret Garden or Anne of the Green Gables (whichever one has the snake in it). The snake caused a problem and prevented me reading any more.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?- It depends on the environment and my mood.
44. Favourite film adaption of a novel? Without a shadow of a doubt, the last Harry Potter book (Deathly Hallows) and The Hobbit (first part)
45. Most disappointing film adaption? Probably The Hunger Games....both films and Twilight (only Twilight)
46. Most money you’ve ever spent in a bookstore at one time?- I tend not to count, I think it's best kept quiet due to the amount I know I could spend.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?- NOOOOOOOO!
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book halfway through?- It's not physically possible for this to happen...not yet anyway :P
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?- Yep, all my series are together as are my to-read but mine, library and standalone.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once they’ve been read?- Keep them, I am a huge hoarder of books!
51. Are there any books that you’ve been avoiding?- Any by Terry Pratchett but I shall try again.
52. Name a book that made you angry?- All of those written by Khaled Hosseini due to the injustices shown, Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You as I can't put into words how much of an impact this has had on me. Read all four of these books and you'll see what I'm on about.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?- Currently can't think of one...come back to me
54. A book you expected to like but didn’t?- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (totally and utterly disappointed in this one.
55. Favourite guilt-free guilty pleasure reading?- Romances all the way.
One of my fellow bloggers posted this up and while reading her answers I found out more about her reading previous to me knowing her....so here goes
1. Favourite Childhood Book?- The Witches by Roald Dahl and the Secret Seven by Enid Blyton. Funnily enough, The Witches started me on my obsession with visiting Norway one day.
2. What are you reading right now?- Currently...I'm listening to the audiobook of Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult (her books really hit a nerve with me, always), Swimming Pool Summer by Rebecca Farnworth (chill-out book) and Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou.
3. What books do you have on request at the library?- None just now, but I need to go fix this tomorrow and request The Trap by Andrew Fukuda (part 3 of The Hunt trilogy).
4. Bad book habit?- I really don't cope well with the spines of books being broken. This means that very few people are allowed to borrow my books.
5. What do you currently have checked out from the library?- From the local library, I have all of the ones I am currently reading plus another 5, and from the library of friends I have at least 5.
6. Do you have an e-reader?- No but I occasionally read Kobo on my tablet.
7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?- I prefer one at a time, however, if there are audiobooks of longer books involved then there tends to be more of a chance of me reading more than one.
8. Have your reading habits changed since you started blogging?- Not really, though the Goodreads website has influenced by book choices quite a lot over the last year.
9. Least favourite book you’ve read this year?- I can't think of one at the minute...it doesn't occur very often.
10. Favourite book you’ve read this year?- By far, this has got to be The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. This book was both heart wrenching yet it gave you undeniable hope...I can't recommend it enough.
11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?- More and more recently, I am known for going into book shops and asking for recommendations from those who work there. This is the best way to discover new authors.
12. What is your reading comfort zone?- YA, mainly fantasy/dystopia and Classics.
13. Can you read on the bus?- Only if the bus is air conditioned!
14. Favourite place to read?- Lying in bed or sitting on a comfy chair.
15. What’s your policy on book lending?- I only lend my books to fellow booklovers because I know they will take care of them (direct from another blogger)
16. Do you dog ear your books?- Nope, I couldn't do it even if you paid me!
17. Do you write notes in the margins of your books?- Only school/uni books so I know what to talk about but I still detest it!
18. Do you break the spines of your books?- Not on my watch, unless it is unpreventable (I've read the book many times before...) then okay.
19. What is your favourite language to read?- I've currently only read a screenplay in Italian but I'd love to try reading more in Italian and French :)
20. What makes you love a book?- When I can't process reality after reading some of/all of the book. When the characters come to life and the emotions they are feeling resonates with the reader (The Book Thief)!!
21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?- When my emotions are in a mess and I know others will appreciate it as much as I did.
22. Favourite Genre?- Young Adult and the odd romance.
23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)?- I wish I'd branch more into the Crime genre maybe one day...
24. Favourite Biography?- The Hands of My Father (about a child who grows up with Deaf parents, in other words a CODA) by Myron Uhlberg and Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You by Hanna Jansen (Rwandan Genocide).
25. Have you ever read a self-help book (And, was it actually helpful)?- I don’t think so. Obviously none have made an impact if I have.
26. Favourite Cookbook?- I don't have one currently.
27. Most Inspirational book you’ve read this year?- The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez.
28. Favourite Reading Snack?- I generally don't snack if I'm reading, I'm too engrossed!
29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience?- The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. The only reason I finished it was because it was a challenge with a friend to see who could finish first.
30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?- I don't think I pay them any attention.
31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?- Everyone has their own opinion, why ruin their reading experience/build up by slating the book?
32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose?- That's a tough one, I'd very much love to read a book in either Hebrew or Arabic.
33. Most intimidating book you’ve read?- All of the books by Khaled Hosseini, but in the end all of them were thought-provoking and incredibly well written. His books highlight difficult themes and situations which have arisen in the Middle East for people who are far removed from those areas. They are very hard hitting books but they will always stay with me.
34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?- George R.R Martin's books....Game of Thrones. I've been told a lot about them.
35. Favourite Poet?- Edwin Morgan.
36. How many books do you usually have checked out from the library at any given time?- Normally ranges from 0-9.
37. How often do you return books to the library unread?- It depends, if I haven't read them at that specific time then I will go back and read them in the future.
38. Favourite fictional character?- Favourite is a bit mean.....I'm swamped under with characters. One of my favourites has got to be Sam Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings. On countless occasions I have fallen around laughing from the lines he says.
39. Favourite fictional villain?- Is it allowed to do the most obvious? .....Just to be different I'll choose Barty Crouch Jnr....because of his cunning.
40. Books you’re most likely to bring on vacation?- A variation of old and new?
41. The longest time you’ve gone without reading?- I don't remember going without reading but I definitely went off of the library for a while.
42. Name a book you could/would not finish?- This is very rare indeed. I think it might have been The Secret Garden or Anne of the Green Gables (whichever one has the snake in it). The snake caused a problem and prevented me reading any more.
43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?- It depends on the environment and my mood.
44. Favourite film adaption of a novel? Without a shadow of a doubt, the last Harry Potter book (Deathly Hallows) and The Hobbit (first part)
45. Most disappointing film adaption? Probably The Hunger Games....both films and Twilight (only Twilight)
46. Most money you’ve ever spent in a bookstore at one time?- I tend not to count, I think it's best kept quiet due to the amount I know I could spend.
47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?- NOOOOOOOO!
48. What would cause you to stop reading a book halfway through?- It's not physically possible for this to happen...not yet anyway :P
49. Do you like to keep your books organized?- Yep, all my series are together as are my to-read but mine, library and standalone.
50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once they’ve been read?- Keep them, I am a huge hoarder of books!
51. Are there any books that you’ve been avoiding?- Any by Terry Pratchett but I shall try again.
52. Name a book that made you angry?- All of those written by Khaled Hosseini due to the injustices shown, Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You as I can't put into words how much of an impact this has had on me. Read all four of these books and you'll see what I'm on about.
53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?- Currently can't think of one...come back to me
54. A book you expected to like but didn’t?- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (totally and utterly disappointed in this one.
55. Favourite guilt-free guilty pleasure reading?- Romances all the way.
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
Busy-ness!
So I've had such a fantastic summer working with children who have additional support needs. Many funny moments but also a few occasions where I wanted to tear my hair out-all part of the job I suppose!
Having spent so much time with children who people often write off almost immediately, I saw just how much they have to offer to the world with their range of abilities and talents. I became frustrated countless times when members of the public called children "naughty" or looked at them as if they had 3 heads. This made me realise just how little awareness and acceptance is out there for them and that is sad to see.
I learnt so much from the children about what type of communication works best for each individual child and how they express their needs and frustrations with the outside world. It was an incredible opportunity and I look forward to working with them in the future!
One of the funniest moments of the summer was when I was on a 1:1 with a child and we were bumping down the stairs (which was a favourite activity) when a whole crowd of (mainly) handsome men were watching us looking fairly bemused as they needed up the stairs. The child carried on as normal and did the usual chirpy "hello!" to everyone as they passed us by!
Hopefully these posts will be more regular from now on!
Having spent so much time with children who people often write off almost immediately, I saw just how much they have to offer to the world with their range of abilities and talents. I became frustrated countless times when members of the public called children "naughty" or looked at them as if they had 3 heads. This made me realise just how little awareness and acceptance is out there for them and that is sad to see.
I learnt so much from the children about what type of communication works best for each individual child and how they express their needs and frustrations with the outside world. It was an incredible opportunity and I look forward to working with them in the future!
One of the funniest moments of the summer was when I was on a 1:1 with a child and we were bumping down the stairs (which was a favourite activity) when a whole crowd of (mainly) handsome men were watching us looking fairly bemused as they needed up the stairs. The child carried on as normal and did the usual chirpy "hello!" to everyone as they passed us by!
Hopefully these posts will be more regular from now on!
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Book lovers in a bookshop.....what happens?
I seem to have neglected this blog for quite a while so here goes the "catching up" phase.
During the past few weeks there have been birthdays, the queen's commonwealth baton and various other interesting days. One of the ones that sticks in my mind was the weekend that has just passed us by, though it is Wednesday now, never mind! Bonus of being off until September....
I was out for the day with one of my closest friends with the sole purpose of going to see The Fault in Our Stars. Epic film! We sat and sobbed, or I sobbed and she sniffed through the majority of the movie. Afterwards we proceeded to argue about who was crying the most and have a giggle about how handsome Ansel was and how strange it was to see him kissing Shailene after Divergent. I think I won the argument (as I always do!) and then we settled in to winding each other up over lunch.
After food, we toddled along to the BOOKSHOP, shock horror!
I think we would both spend our life there if we could, being complete bookaholics! As always we wandered and picked up books and put books down...and then completed the cycle a few times before leaving the shop with 5 books between us-not bad for a days' work if I do say so myself! Let's see what happens next time.....
During the past few weeks there have been birthdays, the queen's commonwealth baton and various other interesting days. One of the ones that sticks in my mind was the weekend that has just passed us by, though it is Wednesday now, never mind! Bonus of being off until September....
I was out for the day with one of my closest friends with the sole purpose of going to see The Fault in Our Stars. Epic film! We sat and sobbed, or I sobbed and she sniffed through the majority of the movie. Afterwards we proceeded to argue about who was crying the most and have a giggle about how handsome Ansel was and how strange it was to see him kissing Shailene after Divergent. I think I won the argument (as I always do!) and then we settled in to winding each other up over lunch.
After food, we toddled along to the BOOKSHOP, shock horror!
I think we would both spend our life there if we could, being complete bookaholics! As always we wandered and picked up books and put books down...and then completed the cycle a few times before leaving the shop with 5 books between us-not bad for a days' work if I do say so myself! Let's see what happens next time.....
Monday, 9 June 2014
Dream and hope, dream in hope!
So this blog title follows on from a conversation I was having with a friend last night. Let's just say we can often get carried away into our own worlds with regards to handsome men, otherwise known as obsessions.
We could spend hours and hours talking about meeting these lovely people and what we'd do if they appeared in front of us. My reaction for both John Owen Jones and various others was I'd probably squeal and run away, or stand gawping at them. Neither reaction would be particularly attractive and I know I wouldn't be able to force words out of my mouth.
As for my friend, I can see her in my mind's eye, getting redder and redder, the embarrassment showing through-to be fair she'd probably squeal too! We're bad influences on one another in these circumstances.
When we were talking about being in a picture last night with her favouritist person ever, Richard Madden. She said she dreams about that day....let's just leave this blog there, shall we?
We could spend hours and hours talking about meeting these lovely people and what we'd do if they appeared in front of us. My reaction for both John Owen Jones and various others was I'd probably squeal and run away, or stand gawping at them. Neither reaction would be particularly attractive and I know I wouldn't be able to force words out of my mouth.
As for my friend, I can see her in my mind's eye, getting redder and redder, the embarrassment showing through-to be fair she'd probably squeal too! We're bad influences on one another in these circumstances.
When we were talking about being in a picture last night with her favouritist person ever, Richard Madden. She said she dreams about that day....let's just leave this blog there, shall we?
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