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

Giving up on *@?!

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So after some delicious American-style pancakes yesterday courtesy of my friend to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, it's time to think about what to give up for Lent. I haven't done it every year, but sometimes I think it can do you good, even if you don't go in for the religious meaning behind it. My proudest year was 40 days and 40 nights with CHOCOLATE...I was in school back then and most break times consisted of me and my mates chowing down on a Twix/Mars Bar/Double Decker (my favourite). But by the end of Lent I found that I just didn't really want chocolate every day anymore, something which I've retained to this day. Don't get me wrong I love a good choccie bar as much as the next girl, but now I enjoy it as a treat every now and then.

SO, what am I giving up this year?

Well, my uni years have left me with one very, very bad habit. My language is appalling! I was always really polite and conservative with that sort of thing when I lived at home, but a lot of my friends are constantly flipping effs and blinds, and it has rubbed off on me pretty badly. I know sometimes 'Darn it!' doesn't quite cut it, but I've found myself using totally unnecessary swear words in every day conversation. I definitely feel cleaning up my language would be a good idea and so, for 40 days and 40 nights, I will be giving up SWEARING! I've thought about doing it for a couple of years, but since this is my year of saying YES, there's no time like the present!

Are you giving up anything for Lent?

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

All Dressed Up

The party on Saturday went fantastically! I was so happy with how everything turned out, and it was amazing to be able to celebrate my birthday surrounded by my friends and family.

My lovely dress (it came from Coast)

It was also a lovely occasion to get dressed up. It was great to see everyone in their glad-rags and although I had to get my dress shortened (yes I'm THAT short!), I felt amazing in it! My mum even loaned me a diamond necklace that she was given for her engagement, so I felt totally glammed up.

Shoes from John Lewis (dead classy eh?!)

I was also given lots of lovely presents, including several pairs of earrings, two necklaces, hand creams, Cranium (I LOVE that game!), a bag and more bottles of wine and champagne than I dare to think about.

Although things feel a little flat now that all the guests have gone home and the planning is over, I'm still so thankful for a fab 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

It's Tradition!

So here we are, it's Christmas Eve! You'd have to be a bit of a Scrooge to not be feeling Christmassy by now! I definitely think the build-up in the weeks before the big day is just as much fun and I've got to admit I still haven't lost that 'night before Christmas' excitement. Christmas Day in our house is often quite hectic, especially when the grandparents are staying, so rather than trek to church in the morning, we go to the crib service the night before. Even though this is aimed at children, it's a great chance to sing some carols and immerse yourself in the festive feeling.

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Christmas day in our house hasn't changed much since we were children, and I love that! My little sis (not so little really, she's almost 18!) still insists on dragging us out of bed at some ungodly hour - while this used to be 7am, we've managed to push her back until 8.30am! I've never exactly been a morning girl, but somehow it seems a little easier when you know that Father Christmas has been!

After presents from Santa and breakfast, we head out to our local beach for a short walk on the cliffs. My friends all say they can't think of anything worse, but I love doing this (especially last year when it was a white Christmas). It blows away the cobwebs and gives you a chance to work up your appetite. We also often bump into people we know, so it's a great time to wish people a 'Merry Christmas'.

The cliffs last Christmas Day

Once the turkey is in the oven and we've had a light lunch (usually soup), it's into the lounge to open all the presents under the tree. My sister and I used to love choosing and handing out the presents and it's become our job for the afternoon. We usually have some nibbles and a glass or two of champagne while we open our pressies, which always goes down well.

After presents it's time for dinner and boy does my ma know how to put out a good Christmas spread!

I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas and has a chance to relax and spend time with the people they love. Have a great day everybody!

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