A lovely Christmas.

23rd Dec: Greek Tapas with the Girls and the boys joined us for a visit to the pub and Lucy's. The day started off with Sophie and I catching the train from Greenfield to Manchester Victoria to meet the rest in the Triangle at Manchester. We then ventured to Dimitri's restaurant. A beautiful little place near the Hilton, it had a homely atmosphere as we walked in and we were greeted by the Greek waiters and taken through to our table, where we had a view of the kitchen through an arch way. We started off with a pitcher of Sangria and water just for safety. Then for our Tapas main, we ordered the lunch special of 7 Tapas dishes and a side dish. The food was delicious and perfectly cooked. After our Delicious Tapas, some of the girls (including me) ordered a desert. The deserts were just as delicious and as beautiful as the mains. I would definitely recommend going to Dimitri's for a social dinner or lunch. After our Tapas meal, we decided to go and collect some cheese and wine from Tesco and Aldi, our choices were Roulade, Chilli brie, Garlic brie, Mexicana and Applewood Cheeses with a selection of Rose wine. We all then got the train to Greenfield where the boys met up with us and then we all ventured to the Wellington pub in Greenfield as the Railway was jam-packed! After a few we all got a taxi back to Lucy's where we indulged in our cheese and wine and played a game of Trivial pursuit.


24th Dec: I awoke in my Boyfriend's bed all warm and snug when a phone call from my mum occurred "We're going getting your Nan today!" this was the best news I could of heard! I got out of bed and rushed to get ready so I could go help pick her up from Butler Green. We arrived at Butler Green with a suitcase and we signed in and packed all her stuff up. My Dad signed the disclaimer form and that was it! We'd broke her out of Butler Green! Nan easily got into the car, faster than we thought and even getting out of the car was a breeze! She was so pleased to be in a familiar surrounding and perked up as soon as we brought her home! It was lovely.

25th Dec: Christmas day! I awoke to go down stair to see my Nan in her nightie looking at me in her chair! We all said Merry Christmas to each other and then we all shared a present! First I got Perfume off James, an iPod off my parents and other bits and bobs through out the day! My Mum, as per usual, spent all day in the Kitchen prepping the Christmas dinner and Christmas treats! It was a lovely meal though, which we ate around 3 being Christmas. At around 6.15 I head off to my Boyfriend's house for our Christmas exhange and all the specials to watch. My favourite and the only one I was looking forward to was the Royle Family. My absolute favourite "fly-on-the-wall" comedy. It was truly hilarious this year and I can't get enough of them. My Boyfriend spoilt me once again this year by buying me a £120 white gold locket, which I had had my eye on, but I didn't thnk he'd get it for me. I absolutly love it and can't wait to put a picture and a love note from him in it.

26th Dec: Boxing day is family Christmas party day! So Tom and I headed over to my house around 12.30 to help with the party preperation! With a selection of meats, cakes and sweets being prepared all through the day, my house smelt so homely and beautiful, I just couldn't wait to tuck in. At around 3.30 all my family were starting to arrive and pile in to my house. It was lovely to see everyone in one place again and not at the hospital! The drinking and food began and it was a lovely celebration and then the massive present fest broke out and everyone was scrambling around the tree to find their gifts to give out! It was great. Later, an intense Beatles monopoly broke out which lasted at least an hour and a half!

It was a lovely Christmas this year!

The day we met Ed Miliband.

Just couldn't believe it.

A Christmas treat.

As some of you may know, my Nan had a stroke nearly a month ago. It was actually horrific to hear this news, as I don't love anyone more than my Nan (Tom comes a very very fine second) So, it was a horrible day that day. But alas! When I went to see her on her first day, she was hooked up with wires and tubes. It was a scary sight but I held it together, and just hoped that she'd make it through the night. Thankfully she did. And everyday for the past few weeks, she's been looking better and better!

This week has been the best one so far in my opinion. She's made vast improvement and I've even seen her walk around the room with the physiotherapy guy. She was being supported but still, I thought it was amazing just to see her walking and looking happy to be moving around! I've even been able to transfer her into a wheel chair and wheel her around the hospital, which she loves. Today we went to the cafe for some tea and coffee, she was in awe with the place! It just makes me happy when I make her happy with the little thing such as a cafe and a cup of tea!

She won't be properly out for Christmas unfortunately, but as a treat because she's doing so well, she is spending Christmas day and boxing day at my house! Which is the best news I could ever hear! I'm so proud of her and I can't wait for her to come home for just them two days!

UCAS Track

My potential university life is coming more realistic as the offers are coming through. As of now my UCAS options look as follows: 

• Salford (journalism): Interview
• Huddersfield (journalism): Conditional
• Salford (journalism and politics): Conditional
• Chester (journalism): Conditional

However, as I am not studying medicine, I am meant to have 5 choices and my remaining choice is actually being discontinued, so I have the choice to choose something else at Chester or choose another institution via Track. I have no idea how to do this and I have no idea where my potential 4th or 5th choice is going to be, or if I can actually change the choice of institution or not. Fingers crossed I can change my choice, I don't really fancy going to Warrington campus.

A tribute

Leslie Nielsen. A comedy genius, R.I.P

Family.

I love my family. They may annoy me, tease me, upset me or make me happy, but I love them unconditionally. My family are from both sides of the Atlantic, but that doesn't really matter, every year I go an visit my American side for two weeks for beautiful, quiet get away. As most families come and go, mine are a typical northern family, which is huge, filled with 5 generations from my Nan to our new arrival Oliver. However, we're not all northern anymore as my older cousins have travelled England with their jobs and husbands etc. But I love them never the less and for certain events, no matter where they live, we all manage to meet up and converse!

There is one member of my family, whom I love the most and always have done, since I was practically born. That's my Nan. She is practically my idol, and I tell her all the time! She's so strong and has done so much for our family over the years, especially me. When I was younger, all my days were spent at my Nan's house or she was at mine looking after me and my brother. She used to walk me to primary school every day and then walk me home.  I still go over every week for me tea on a Thursday afternoon, so times haven't really changed and also if I get the chance I'll pop up and give her a nice visit! She means the absolute world to me, and I think she knows that I'd go out of my way any day to do anything for her. I just want to let let the world know how much I love her.

Children in Need.

The time has come for Children in Need to rule our TV screens, and in my opinion, I love it. The amazing cast, sketches, stories and performances are just everything that is great about television and it's all for an amazing cause. Millions of people donate money by buying Pudsey bears and pins and other merchandise from their local stores, which just makes everyone feel involved! I, myself have gone out year after year and bought some sort of Pudsey. This year it was some Pudsey ears, which I shall be wearing on Friday! So, I think that you should all go and get involved with the fun of Children in Need!

Another feature of this week, is that it is Anti-bullying week. As part of assemblies this week, my favourite teacher, Miss Sunderland, asked to read a poem said by the Rev.Niemoller. I just thought I'd share the quote with you as I find the words just amazing. Also with all the reading abou the holocaust I have been doing recently, it makes me think that just little bit more...

" First, they came for the communists. I did not speak out, as I am not a communist. Then they came for the socialists. I didn't speak out because I am not a socialist. They came for the Labor leaders. I did not speak out as I'm not a labor leader. Then, they came for the Jews. I did not speak out. I am not a Jew. But then they came for me. But there was no one left to speak for me. "

A recommendation.

"The thinker's guide to evil" - Peter Vardy & Julie Arliss. 
It is rather interesting if you're interested in philosophy and it's perception of the 'problem of evil'.

The weather.

Winter is around the corner and the weather is turning grim and grey. I would much rather have it snow for a few months than have the horrible rain, icy winds and ugly grey clouds hanging over our heads. It's a complete turn off in the morning when I have to get up for college when I can hear the wind howling and rain tapping at my window. It's as if somethings telling me "Don't go in!" and sometimes I actually regret going in due to the morbid atmosphere the weather creates, just a collection of pathetic fallacies.

However, this horrible weather has a good side to it, in a different way. The weather brings couples a little joy as it gives them opportunity to cuddle up all warm in bed and just create a cosy atmosphere. My boyfriend and I love to cuddle and talk to each other when the weather's horrible outside. He sometimes sings this song to me "When it's cold and stormy, and you're feeling sick. Cuddle up all warmy and play with your little dick!" I love that song, even though the last line confuses me, but then again I heard it on the Vicar of Dibley once also! This morning and today, in fact, the weather has been terrible and it made me happy that my boyfriend wouldn't let me get out of bed until past 11 due to the horrific sight and sounds of outside. It made my day. I hope that this also applies to other couples and when the snow comes, they feel just as cosy as we do!

The Symphony of Science.

Amazing. 


Thanks to Sean Nield for showing me this!

Dogs.

Man's best friend... and women's for that matter! They say that is proven that a dog makes you live for 3 years longer! I'm not surprised with the happiness and loyalty they bring. I love hearing about dog's who save their owner's lives and do amazing things just to help people. It brings a warmth to my heart.

I love my puppy dog Bonnie! She's so loving and always makes me smile when i see her little face! she keeps me warm, entertained and loved. I just think it's adorable when she just sits at my feet and warms me up, when she's not jumping on my knee that is! I think Bonnie one of the only dogs in the world which actually watches telly for fun! She knows what programme is on just by the music which is playing and also, if you say "football", "sheep" or "Cowboys" she'll run to the telly! It's hilarious! She's so funny and unique and I love it! 

Half Term

My first half term has arrived and as much as I look forward to having them when I'm in school, the more I hate them when I have them. I usually pass time spending time with my boyfriend however, this time I am lonely as he has to work for the rest of my week off.

So, my first half term doing nothing with myself. I've gone a day alone and have done nothing at all but laze about, eat and sleep. I hate half term at times as I feel useless, but I can't complain as when I'm back at college all I will wish for is another break!

I could probably do with doing some work sometime this week, which tomorrow I think I shall crack on with some revision, notes or something! But Alas! I say this now, and I know I will put it all off until the end! I need someone to give me some jobs or places to go!

My excuse for the lack of blogging last week; School Work.

Half term is coming up and the required "QMA" is die in for each teacher. I have two teachers per subject, So that means 6 QMA's in total. If that doesn't sound bad enough, all of my teachers are setting their QMA's at the same time, drowning us in essays and context etc. So, last week I would have blogged, but my the flood of QMA's given to me was stupid I have had to take a break from my dear blog. Back to the point, of school work in the masses. I don't mind an essay or coursework to do every now and again, but all at once, I do not think so! I feel that many students would agree with my argument and teachers would say "well in university BLAH BLAH BLAH!" Well in university I would only be doing one subject and wouldn't have a personal statement deadline to compete with at the same time. They say that our personal statements are preference, however, I'd like to see all 6 of my teachers just say, "oh Amy, you've got your personal statement to write, no need to do any essays" 

The personal statement has also created more pressure as my school has decided to make the deadline for our personal statements to be drafted and sent off by this Thursday. I had just decided my true career path around 2 to 3 weeks ago. My head start was cut short. This is entirely unfair and now I'm going to have to go in to school on Friday when no one else is on just to complete it to beat competition. However, if I get this personal statement, which just appeared out of my mind tonight drafted and perfect by then, all is well! But something tells me time will be slim. I cannot wait until half term, where school work will hopefully be not the only thing on my mind and slaving over it everyday.

Personal Statements.

I want to go to university, no doubt about that. However, it baffles me that I am going to be judged for what I am off a piece of paper. A limited typed piece of paper. 4000 characters (plus spaces) or 47 lines of UCAS box. I can't possibly be judged against hundreds of other students just by what I can limit myself to fill 47 lines of a UCAS box. Its impossible and unfair, in my opinion anyway. As I know for a fact, some may lie and be chosen over others even if they are offered an interview and "be caught out" They are obviously going to practise what they are going to say in that situation. However, I suppose that life is just generally unfair.

The personal statement is a dreaded article which is slaved over for weeks and even months. The sooner you submit, the better you look. I feel sorry for the 'early applicant' who other than submitting it by the 15th October, has to probably pass a entry test of some sort! For example, UKCAT, LNAT, etc. My hat goes off to those students and you just know they're going to pursue a successful life in whatever they do. However, for someone like me, who doesn't have the need to go to somewhere like OxBridge or do something like Law, have a later deadline, which is nice, but also makes us apathetic and the idea of doing it last minute springs to mind. BUT! This is my future we're on about and it is vital that I get it in 'ASAP' but I have to be willing to do many a draft to get it absolutely perfect.

Love.

" I love her and that's the beginning of everything" - F. Scott Fitzgerald.

It's bizarre. Love is the one thing that is so real, yet cannot be described. It's a supernatural force which is stronger than two magnets longing to attract it's opposite pole. I could never describe how my boyfriend makes me feel when I see him or the level of happiness I manage to achieve when he does the littlest thing that makes me smile. When you find actual love, I'd say never, ever let it go. Just keep trying and trying. As Jim Halpert (The American office) said "Love is waiting." It really is. It's all about patience and longing for something so much that you would give your life waiting for someone.
What is love? I suggest you click.
However, it infuriates me when people take someone special and the concept of love for granted. Why would you throw something that amazing around and just not accept it for what it is? It really bothers me to know that for someone the other may be their everything, but for the other that person could be not the right one and they mess with their heads and push them around because love makes you do strange things. I've seen this happen to many of my friends and it bugs me to the bone. Some just don't know what they have until it's gone.


AEH;