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Sunday 26 July 2015

THIS PAST WEEK #4 IN A FIELD NEAR PETERBOROUGH

 

This week has been very long, tiring but pretty super-duper. Hence this short and sweet summary today, it’s Sunday evening and I have some serious catching up on sleep to do.

My weekdays have been mostly uneventful. I’ve been working mornings this week and the student life sleep schedule that I find myself in might mean that the 6:30 alarm is the stuff of nightmares. Although I have enjoyed being back in to a routine, even if it just for a fortnight.

This weekend I visited my friend Lucy from university and stayed with her and her family. On Saturday we went paintballing. It was the first time I’d ever been and I don’t mind admitting that I was very scared. Everyone I’d spoken to prior had said that it really hurts and I’d be covered in bruises by the end. It was actually really funny and I came away relatively unscathed. That could have something to do with my limited skill with a paint ball gun and the small amount of time I spent in each game. The worst hit was one to the face which caused the paint to explode in my mouth, in case you hadn’t guessed, it tastes disgusting. I’m definitely not saying that paintball bruises are some cruel myth – most of the others could vouch to that.

Wednesday 22 July 2015

MY ANTICIPATED MOVIE RELEASES: JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

Let’s talk movies. One of the reasons I started this blog was so I could have a space to nerd out about one of my favourite subjects. While I’m not very confident in writing straight reviews, I did write down my thoughts on Jurassic World which you can read here. I’ve decided to start a new series in which I look to future months and talk about the upcoming releases that I eagerly await.

Photo Credit: worldsciencefestival.com

Inside Out
UK Release Date: 24/07/15

Pixar very rarely fail to deliver to high expectations. From recent reviews, Inside Out looks set to be another family hit for the animation studios. Like most Pixar productions, the marketing for Inside Out has been long and extensive, the first teaser appeared in October then another in December of last year. With over 20 million views on the second teaser trailer, it’s safe to say that the original concept of the movie quickly sparked interest for Pixar fans.
I may be nearly 20 years old but that is was Pixar do best, creating animation that is not only perfect for children but wildly entertaining for all ages.


Photo Credit: ign.com

Fantastic Four
UK Release Date: 06/08/2015

Remember the days when the summer months didn’t equal a new superhero movie? No? Me neither. Admittedly I am a huge fan of super hero movies. Between the two marvel offerings this summer, it is the reboot of Fantastic Four that has caught my interest over Ant Man.  When I first saw the 2007 ‘Fantastic Four’ I actually really liked it. Granted I was about 10. Unfortunately these positive opinions have fallen victim to the time I’ve spent reading and watching people much more knowledgeable about comic book movies than me. Now I see the bad casting and how the flick let down source material fans and movie goers alike.
The trailers have set a very interesting tone for this reboot. The arrival of a much younger cast seems to be well fitted to the titular foursome, compared to the prior cast offering. Especially the casting of Miles Teller as ‘Reed Richards’, I’m yet to see a bad performance from Teller (did someone say Whiplash?).


Photo Credit: wegotthiscovered.com

Legend
UK Release Date: 09/09/2015

Directed by Brian Helgeland, Legend is based on the true story of Ronald and Reginald Kray, the twins will be played by Tom Hardy. Honestly the peak of my interest in this crime drama comes from my lack of knowledge about the Kray Twins. In true lazy girl style, I’ll be learning some modern British history from the big screen. It’s also nothing new to say that Tom Hardy is a great actor, Lawless outlaw ‘Forrest Bondurant’ and Batman Nemesis ‘Bane’ are among my favourite Hardy roles, so the idea of him carrying two lead roles is very exciting.


Honourable Mentions: Trainwreck, Southpaw and The Martian 


Sunday 19 July 2015

THIS PAST WEEK #3 THE BEST ROAST


This may be sacrilege but I’ve never really been a huge fan of a roast dinner. The British institution of the Sunday roast was always something I just put up with at the end of the weekend. It wasn’t until I moved away to university and wasn’t having one fortnightly that I realised how perfect it is to round of a week. Say goodbye to the weekend in an entirely indulgent way, ready to greet a new week. Today I went with my parents to the ‘South Causey Inn’, a local hotel/restaurant, for the best carvery. Sorry Toby, this is the king. If you’re in the County Durham/Newcastle area I would recommend it completely.
  
Yet again I am writing this while desperately wanting to take a nap. Yes, I’m 19 going on 85. Last night I was out celebrating my friend’s 20th birthday in Durham and since my parents have been away in the Lake District this weekend I was also playing dog sitter. No matter what your bedtime, springer spaniels don’t understand Sunday lie in’s when they want their morning walk.

A well photographed pooch 

Besides the weekend this week has been mostly uneventful. I finally got around to watching the last three episodes of Outlander if that counts as exciting? Outlander is one of the most underrated shows, I am so sad this season has finished and I will have to wait months before Jamie Fraser is back on my screen.  If you’re a fan of epic historical fiction, period dramas then you need to watch it. Another TV show that I will admit to being a little obsessed with this week is channel 4’s ‘Married at First Sight’. I’d heard about the American version of the same name when it first aired last year. If you haven’t heard about it, it basically follows couples who are matched up after taking multiple compatibility tests and the first time they ever meet their ‘match’ is at the altar before marrying them. It’s pretty extreme reality TV but the concept fascinates me.

I’m working Monday to Friday next week and also going back to volunteer at the soup kitchen tomorrow and at the weekend I’m off to visit my friend Lucy from university. After a relatively quiet week this week I am very excited for it all.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

RECENT READS #1


Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins

The story is so much more than the title suggests. In the book we are with Anna as she is sent to France to complete high school at a Paris boarding school. The story follows Anna as she steps out of her comfort zone, falls in love in with a new city and meets the dreamy ‘Etienne St. Clair’. I thoroughly enjoyed Anna and The French Kiss. It is the perfect happiness inducing summer read, look past the slightly cringey titles and you won’t regret it.

While I'm not running straight for another Perkins’ novel right now (my piled high bookshelf would object to that) I definitely plan on reaching for the rest of the trilogy next time I’m in need of some good old YA romance.

8/10

Yes Please - Amy Poehler

After reading Lena Dunham’s ‘Not That Kind Of Girl’ earlier this year (and loving it) I’ve wanted to pick up another memoir from another fabulous funny woman. Yes Please is hilarious, honest and so entertaining. I loved how open and frank Amy was about her life experiences, many celeb filled anecdotes were also a real treat. I’m almost at the end of a Parks and Recreation marathon so the chapters about Parks were emotional ones. It has quickly become my favourite show. 

One of the reasons I love books like Yes Please and Not That Kind of Girl is because you can keep them on your bookshelf and dip in and out of the chapters to relive the quotable words of such great women. I can’t wait to pick up Mindy Kaling’s ‘Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?’ very soon.

9.5/10

The Wrath and the Dawn - Renee Ahdieh

This is my favourite book that I’ve read in a while. Inspired by ‘A Thousand and One Nights’ the story is set in a kingdom where every day the young Caliph chooses a new bride and by dawn the next day she has been killed. Our protagonist ‘Shahrzad’ volunteers to marry the king with the intent of killing him. The plot is fast paced and honestly I got obsessed with the story, finishing it in only a few days.  The Middle Eastern setting is described beautifully and as it is told in the third person we hear from multiple perspectives – a feature I really enjoy in books.

As a general rule I tend to prefer standalone books. Probably from past years of reading YA dystopian series’ to be let down as the story was dragged out over unnecessary sequels.  However when I found out that this novel was the first in a series, I was so relieved and I can’t wait for the release of the sequel.

As an added bonus the hardback cover is absolutely gorgeous.

10/10

Sunday 12 July 2015

THIS PAST WEEK #2 MOJITOS PLEASE



This week has been a top notch one for ‘adulting’. I have spent the second half of this week moving out of my room in the halls of residence and in to my bedroom in a shared student house. I already love my house. However it was bitter sweet leaving halls of residence. While it was not the most glamorous living arrangement (if you saw the grease covered kitchen you’d be quick to agree with me), saying goodbye to it is saying goodbye to the last part of first year. I have been firmly removed from the freshers-40%-to-pass-doesn't-count-to-degree safety blanket. Come at me second year.

After packing up my halls room my Dad came to help me move my things across. He played a super removal man for the day. Thank you! Once the boring part of packing and unpacking newspaper clad plates was over I met up with some university friends. Catching up over Mojitos with friends you haven’t seen in a while is one of the best things in the world. The rest of my weekend was spent sipping cocktails, going for breakfast and generally enjoying being back in one of my favourite cities. My visit was short and sweet.


A day travelling home with my luggage has left me exhausted - nothing to do with the late bed time and the multiple beverages last night. I promise. 


Monday 6 July 2015

RECENT WATCH: MY THOUGHTS ON JURASSIC WORLD

Photo Credit: http://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/jurassic-world-stomps-over-worldwide-box-office-records/

Before last week I had only seen one Jurassic park movie. I can’t even tell you which one it was. Perhaps for this reason I had little interest in Jurassic World, it was simply a summer adventure movie that I wasn't rushing to the cinema for. As someone who looks at IMDb multiple times a day I had been aware of the Jurassic World announcement, tracked the casting choices and watched the trailer after its release. Yes I knew the ins and outs of a film I didn't even want to see.

It wasn't until hearing positive reviews and surrounding hype that the dinosaur flick actually caught my interest.

The plot of Jurassic World interestingly comments on society. It explores themes of genetic modification and the constant struggle to maintain consumer interest. These are executed well and add layers to a seemingly simple plot.  It is a fun and a satisfying cinema experience. I just had a few problems with it.

The characters are so one dimensional. There’s an uptight business woman whose only care is the success of the park, the male action hero, two young boys who are simply there to be dropped in to Jurassic danger and the villain who wants to weaponise Velociraptors, caution (and sense) to the wind. I also often found myself laughing at the cheesy scenes with clunky dialogue while just cringing at the scripted ‘comic relief’.  An hour in to the movie I have to admit that I couldn't care about the characters in the way you want to in a movie with chase and suspense as one of the biggest selling points. To give credit where it’s due; the best character by far was ‘Owen’, played by Chris Pratt. Just like last year’s Guardian of the Galaxy, Pratt fits seamlessly in to the action star role.

Jurassic world is what you expect it to be, a high action adventure with enough dinosaur jump scares to keep excitement up for the two hour run time. Unfortunately the lack of character development has put a dampener on it for me and I won’t be rushing to watch it again upon its DVD release. 


Sunday 5 July 2015

THIS PAST WEEK #1 NEW HOME PREPARATIONS


After returning from my girls’ holiday in Crete a week ago last Tuesday I have managed to escape holiday blues. The warm weather that we have recently had in England definitely helps. However, it has been firmly established that I was not created for hot weather. Between sun burn (ginger skin problems), hay fever, mosquito bites and prickly heat let’s just say that I’m best suited to a cooler climate. Along with the humid atmosphere this week we have also had a couple of storms, on Wednesday night there was even hail stones the size of golf balls here in the North East.

On Tuesday I went with one of my best friends for lunch and to see Jurassic World. Honestly I have mixed feelings on the film. Watch this space for my thoughts on it tomorrow. It will be the first ever (sort of) review that I’ve ever shared so I’m a little nervous about it.

Last night was my first night volunteering at Destiny Streetworx soup kitchen, a local soup kitchen charity that provides food and survival essentials to the homeless in Newcastle. I’d wanted to find some volunteering opportunities for my long summer break so that I could put my many of hours of free time to good use. After seeing the poster a few weeks ago I sent in an application and went along yesterday. If you’re in the Newcastle area and are looking to volunteer or donate, visit the Destiny Streetworx website, http://destinystreetworx.co.uk/.

Next week I will be moving out from my room in halls of residence and in to a new bedroom in a shared student house in Sheffield. Today was spent shopping for new bedding in the homeware haven that is IKEA. The idea of decorating a new room fills me with all sorts of glee. I can’t wait to get in to my new bedroom and make it my own but I will be a little sad to leave my little halls bedroom. It’s seems like the final goodbye to first year and being a fresher. Don’t even mention how much I’ll miss the en-suite bathroom.


Thursday 2 July 2015

AN EXCITED (AND NERVOUS) RETURN


Between school, university assignments and my own personal enjoyment I have previously had three blogs in my life. The first was a personal blog that somehow I managed to fill with the mundane ramblings of an insecure thirteen year old.

For over year I posted multiple times a week about my life. While the subject matter of my posts way back when is best kept between me and those unfortunate 18 who did read it, I enjoyed blogging a lot. Since breaking for summer from University I have thought about starting up a new blog. I have had a list of possible blog ideas in my notebook for over a month and I’m so excited to be finally doing it.

Here is my little space online where I can talk about the things that I love. Movies, Books, PR, Music, Lifestyle…

I hope you enjoy!