THE YEAR AHEAD: 2016

New Year creates a mix of feelings; Christmas is over for another year, January is only just beginning and summer seems all too far away. While it can conjure up some bitter-sweet feelings, the beginning of another year holds exciting possibilities and I’ve been thinking of some things I would like to do in 2016. Don’t worry, no resolutions that I won’t stick to ahead. This is more of a to-do list as it were. A putting-in-writing of some things, big and small, that I want to make happen in the year ahead.

Secure work for my Placement Year

Unlike the others on the list, this isn’t so much a goal but a must. As part of my degree I have chosen to do placement year that will begin in the summer. In this time I want to get as much PR experience as possible.

Save money for travelling                                   

Explains itself really, I have wanted to travel for a long time and in 2017 I hope to go travelling after I complete my placement year. Travelling is mighty expensive so I need to do some serious saving if I’m going to make it past the airport.

Write something for the University Magazine

Between the years of writing for essays, coursework and assignments writing has felt like a chore. Writing about what interests me on my blog rather than what will get the grade has let me enjoy it again. Now I want to write something for my university's magazine. I got in touch with the editor of the magazine before Christmas who told me that they’re always looking for contributions so I hope to actually write something for them in the near future.

Keep on top of my skin

Probably the vainest of all of my 2016 goals but 2015 was the year that I really got sick of my troublesome skin. While my festive diet hasn’t had the best effect on my complexion my obsession with skincare is ever increasing and I am continuing to work with my doctor to tackle pesky break outs, from the inside and out.

De-clutter

A clear out has been long overdue for a while now but it wasn’t until I was trying to put away the things I’d received at Christmas that I realised that I am hoarding so many unnecessary things. It’s the same in my room in my university room. I have papers stuffed everywhere, clothes I never wear and products I never use, this is the year that I show them the door (or charity shop).

Stay organised

The bigger work load of second year has had one positive effect, and that is that I’m forced to be more organised. By that I mean I write everything in my diary and a new to-do list notebook fills me with all sorts of glee. 2016 is going to be an important and busy year and I need to be organised. Any excuse to buy new stationery…

Continue blogging…

My blog isn’t even half a year old but I am looking to the year ahead. Working on and then uploading a blog post is so satisfying and when I have the time between university work I really enjoy blogging. I won’t put any dates or figure on it but I’m excited to document the next year on my little internet space. 

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice”

Here's to 2016!

MY FAVOURITE FILMS OF 2015

Here are my top five films of 2015. Unfortunately I did not get to see every film that the past year had to offer; in fact I could write a whole list of films that I missed. From those that I did see this year, these five have come out on top. Enjoy!

The DUFF

When I sat down and thought about films that I can call my favourite of the year, the first criteria that I judge by is if I will honestly watch it again. I am the type of person who finds something she likes and then watches it again and again. I can unashamedly say that out of every film on this list I have watched ‘The DUFF’ the most. While it probably won’t be winning any academy awards any time soon its winning combo of warm hearted and hilarious make a great teen movie, I love it.

The Martian

A story about a man who is stranded on Mars, constantly cheating death, shouldn’t be this much fun. But the Martian is, in fact this space drama was a glorious cocktail of dry humour, mind bending science and edge of your seat tension.  Matt Damon was excellent as Mark Watney and Ridley Scott expertly crafted another space set epic.  I wrote a full review of The Martian which you can read here.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

One of the first films released in 2015 and in my opinion still one of the best. Bearing Matthew Vaughn’s signature brand of humour, style and bloody violence, Kingsman may be a little NSFW but is the Spy film that we all really want to see (sorry Spectre). Boasting some of the best of British acting talent including Colin Firth, Mark Strong, Michael Caine and newcomer Taron Egerton, Kingsman is British cinema at its best.  The announcement of a ‘Kingsman 2’ is music to my ears.

Inside Out

It’s not very often that I will pay to see a film for children at the cinema; Inside Out was worth every penny. It is incredibly smart and resonates with adults just as much as it does with children. Inside Out stands with Toy Story and Monsters Inc. as another Pixar great.

Mad Max: Fury Road

Most people who know me will know that I am a big fan of Fury Road. I was surprised to love it so much, only really seeing it in the cinema because my Dad wanted to see it. Someone recently asked me what my favourite film was, while I won’t say that it’s my all-time favourite, the first film that came to mind was Mad Max: Fury Road. To my answer this person sniggered and claimed I only like it because ‘it has a strong female character’. Of course it is true that it was refreshing to see Charlize Theron’s Furiosa kick ass and take names but the film has so many more reasons to be celebrated. You would really sell Fury Road short to claim that its refusal to pander to Hollywood gender representations is the only reason it’s brilliant. In its simplicity, the plot is exciting, the use of practical effects and vibrant cinematography create stunning scenes to watch and above all Mad Max: Fury Road was a cinematic experience.

Honourable Mentions: Trainwreck, The Intern and Whiplash

What were your favourite films of 2015?

THIS PAST YEAR: 2015

I hope you have all had a very Merry Christmas and are set to have a Happy New Year. Although I had a pile of university work hanging over my head I managed to have a very good Christmas and as another year rounds up I’m looking back at the where-did-it-go year that was 2015. I have also included a handful of my favourite photos from the year; if you want to see more selfies, dog pics or pitiful attempts at photography you can follow me on Instagram here. 
 

Every year has highs and lows but on the whole I have had a really great year. When I think about my year I can’t help but compare it to 2014. 2014 was a weird year, I started it feeling thoroughly miserable, within a month I had decided to leave university, spent months feeling completely purposeless and confused before starting a fresh in a new city and new university. I began this year knowing exactly what I was doing and I love doing it. 

I had my second Holiday with two of my best friends. I entered my 20’s and, as it seems to be a part of growing up, I have grown closer to some people and further apart from others. That’s life I suppose. 

I finish this year half way through my second year of University. Although I managed to get very ill three times within less than four months and really felt the pinch of second year responsibilities, on a whole it has gone well. I earned two firsts on my assignments, took advantage of careers help available to improve my CV and cover letters for the ongoing placement search, volunteered for Sheffield Live and discovered an interest in Sport PR. 

Oh and finally, I started this very blog! While I may sometimes let other things get in the way of writing posts I am proud of my little space on the internet and I am very grateful to every single person who takes the time to read it.

Happy New Year!

MY ANTICIPATED MOVIE RELEASES: DECEMBER

Here are my anticipated movie releases of December. However, it is now that I will admit that I have few plans to visit the cinema this month. With Christmas just around the corner, December is one busy and expensive month and my student budget just won’t accommodate to cinema trips on top of Christmas shopping. *sigh*

I have still picked out two upcoming releases that have captured my interest; you can read about them and watch the trailers below. You may notice the absence of a certain Star Wars film, here is my admission that I have never seen Star Wars. I have only seen a little of Star Wars: Episode III, (I know, I know it’s not the best). I do eventually want to get in to Star Wars and see what all the hype is about, but right now, I am not on the Force Awakens excitement train. 

Photo Credit: imdb.com

Sisters

UK Release Date: 12/12/15

 

My love for Amy Poehler is no secret; I found her hilarious as Leslie Knope and can’t wait to see her and Tina Fey in this comedy. The film follows two sisters who reunite to throw one last party in their family home before their parents sell it. Sisters also features John Cena, the years accidental comedy star? I just hope the best moments of this comedy aren’t all in the trailer. 

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R11L9cI1dFE

Photo Credit: imdb.com

In the Heart of the Sea

UK Release Date: 26/12/15

In the Heart of the Sea is a recounting of the sinking of a whaling ship by a giant sperm whale in 1820, the true story that would inspire Moby Dick. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Cillian Murphy, the appeal of this epic adventure seems to lie in its simplicity, a story of survival, man versus nature. While 2013 racing drama Rush made me a fan of Ron Howard, I will admit that my anticipation for this comes with a little trepidation, as I write this I have heard a series of mixed reviews and In the Heart of the Sea isn’t doing particularly well at the box office. 

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-H35Mpj4uk

What films will you be seeing over this festive period?