Looking Forward, Looking Back #6

Looking Forward


I am really excited about my upcoming move to Kingston! I'm studying for an MA at the university there and have managed to bag myself a place in a lovely little house with two other students, so it really feels like everything is coming together nicely. Quite a few difficult situations arose in the last few weeks of university and, although I am really sad to leave, it was definitely time for us all to move on. I am so looking forward to my MA and living in a new place. Also a lot of my friends are dotted around London, so it's nice to know that they are all within reachable distance.

Kingston-Upon-Thames, here I come!
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It's not every day you get to have a completely fresh start in a new area with new people, so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in here and having a great time!


Looking Back


As I said, quite a few less-than-ideal things happened towards the end of my time at university, but nonetheless I left confident that I made the right decision in going there. I made some amazing friends, had some pretty crazy times and somehow managed to leave with a degree as well! It's a pretty big 'looking back', but the past three years have been jam-packed with awesome times, which I can confidently say outweighed the less awesome times. University was definitely one of the most formative and enjoyably experiences of my life so far!

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Sarah x

Looking Forward, Looking Back #5

Looking Forward
I've been getting really stressed about the Masters courses I've been applying for, doing all sorts of totally useless things like lying awake and worrying about it. Now that I've sorted myself out a little bit, I've decided to stop worrying and instead to look forward to hearing back about whether I've been accepted or not. If I do then super and if not then at least I can get on with the next thing and look forward to whatever else the future holds for me! It's not always easy to look at rejection that way, but I'm a great believer that what's meant to be will be and so if I'm not accepted then I know that's it's because something even better is coming along!

Looking Back
I've just come back from a lovely weekend in Northern Ireland with my cousin at her Parish Weekend. We stayed at Castlewellan Castle...

The STUNNING Castlewellan Castle
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The castle is set in a country park next to a lake and the scenery was absolutely gorgeous. A weekend in such a beautiful setting what exactly what I needed to relax and recharge my batteries. It was also great to get to see my family and spend a bit of quality time with them. I've been so busy recently that I haven't been able to keep in touch properly with them, so it was a much-needed weekend!

Sarah x

Looking Forward, Looking Back #4

So here we are safe and sound in 2012! Time for another 'Looking Forward, Looking Back'...

Looking Forward
There's all kinds of things to look forward to in 2012, but in the short term I have been organising a joint birthday for my little sister and I. I've lots of friends travelling from all over the country to come and celebrate with us, which I really appreciate - some even have to fly! I was a little worried noone would be able to make it, but a lot of people have come up trumps and I can't wait to see them all. My dress has just arrived and I can't wait to get all dolled up for a fun night with friends and family. It's going to be a night of food, drink and dancing and should be a lovely event!

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Looking Back
It's a slight cliche, but I must admit I am very thankful for the Christmas period. It was lovely to get to see family I haven't been in touch with for a while and spend some quality time together. I loved the build up to the big day and Christmas Day itself was lovely. Father Christmas was very good to me this year and I got given lots of exciting new toys, including a Kindle! I always thought they were a bit of a fad, but now that I've got one, it is actually a great piece of kit! The holidays were also a chance to have a bit of a relax and gather my thoughts for the coming year. 2011 had a lot of ups and a fair few downs, and I think it's important to have a little look back and think about how the experiences of the past year will affect 2012. I'm excited for what the year holds!

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Welcome to 2012 everyone!

Sarah x

Looking Forward, Looking Back #3

Looking Forward
It seems like an obvious one but...CHRISTMAS! As I said a while ago, I'm not one for getting festive early, but with only just over a week to go I'm now in full present-wrapping, carol-singing mode! I went to a 'Carols By Candlelight' concert last week and it truly put me in the mood. It's easy to see why so many people love the Christmas season and there is always that lovely feeling in the air in the build-up to the 25th.

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Of course, December does have its own little stresses - crossing our fingers we won't get snowed in, trying to plan that perfect dinner, present buying and wrapping and making sure everyone gets along. It's so important not to let those little things ruin such an important time. I know Christmas has different meanings to everyone, but it is essentially a time to have a little break and appreciate how blessed we are. No matter how much they drive us up the wall, it's a chance to hang out with the people we love. I hope everyone gets to have a little time with family and friends this Christmas :)

Looking Back
Before heading back home for the holidays I was able to have some lovely Christmassy time with my friends. We had our own little 'Christmas Day', with mulled wine, party games, a secret Santa and (best of all) lots and lots of FOOD! My best friend is a total domestic goddess and managed to make one of the nicest Christmas dinners I think I've ever had, complete with every trimming possible (although I'm still not convinced by Brussel sprouts). After the stresses that the end of the has brought for a lot of us, it was nice to be able to come together for one day and forget about our problems. As I said above, Christmas is all about being with those you care about and this was a perfect opportunity.


I hope you're all getting ready for a lovely Christmas!

Sarah x

Looking Forward, Looking Back #2

Well it is definitely time for another one of these! I've been having a bit of a rubbish time lately, so time to refocus I think!

Looking Forward
I had a cheeky little ASOS shop and so am super excited to try on my new purchases once they arrive! It's not just parcels, I love receiving pretty much anything in the post, so also did a little search for some free sample, so I have some of the new Bailey's Biscotti Flavour heading my way too - a little random, but if it's free then why ever not?!

Looking Back
Looking back is kind of hard, since I must admit I've been having a pretty darn tough time recently, but in the spirit of Looking Forward, Looking Back, I accept that there is always stuff to be thankful for! One of my best friends has really taken me under her wing and done everything possible to cheer me up - I even arrived home to find she had baked me a cake yesterday! That girl is an absolute sweetie and I love her to bits, so looking back I am super duper thankful for her.

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Sarah x

Looking Forward, Looking Back #1

Life isn't always easy and sometimes it can be super tough to find stuff to be thankful for. I know I can certainly be prone to bouts of the grumps! So when I heard about 'gratitude journalling' (a fancy way of saying writing down stuff you're grateful for) I though 'why not?'. So, I've decided to try and do a regular little post entitled 'Looking Forward, Looking Back'. I'll look forward to something coming up - even the toughest times are easier when you've something to look forward to, no matter how little! Then I'll look back and find something great to be thankful for. Sounds simple enough right?

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So here we go with my first 'Looking Forward, Looking Back':

Looking Forward

My mum always says Autumn seems awfully sad, with everything dying and hibernating for winter. But what a pessimistic view! Personally, I think that this time of year has a certain sort of glamour - not the out-and-out 'woo let's wear a bikini' sort that summer has, or the delicate new life of spring, but instead everything gets a little mysterious. Sunset is earlier and everyone disappears into their lovely new coats and scarves. Plus, tights are my best friend...I'm about as white as they get and I just don't enjoy faffing around with all that fake tan! Now if finally being able to put the pasty legs away isn't something to look forward to, then I don't know what is!

Looking Back

I've had an absolutely fab summer! It's been the perfect combination of holiday, productivity and just chilling out. I feel completely refreshed and ready to hit October hard now! I was really lucky to be taken on holiday to France by my parents, which was amazing - great weather, lovely day trips and most importantly lots and lots of food and wine! Definitely something to be grateful for.

So there we go, my first 'Looking Forward, Looking Back'...and ya know what? I feel better already!

Sarah x