MEME 2014

Unnecessarily detailed answers over simple questions!! I’m in a rant-ish kinda mood, and it’s been ages since I’ve blogged properly and I need a break from coursework, so here we go...

Are you outgoing or shy?

Hmm... I’m definitely not outgoing, I find it difficult talking to people in large groups. I’m not shy either, because I can talk if I need to. But sometimes I just don’t like talking, and therefore people think I’m shy.

Who are you looking forward to seeing?

I’m really looking forward to seeing my friends who are living abroad this year. I miss them, and I’m looking forward to seeing them in the summer.

Are you easy to get along with?

I’d like to say yes, because I try to be friendly to everyone, but sometimes it’s difficult, especially if there’s a personality clash between me and them.

If you were drunk would the person you like take care of you?

First of all, I don’t drink and don’t intend to. But if I was, I probably wouldn’t, because they would see me in a state that I wouldn’t want them to witness. 

What kind of people are you attracted to?

I’ve discovered I’m quite attracted to unusual, excluded and quiet people. I don’t mean that in a bad way, I just feel like I’m on a similar level to them and find them easiest to talk to. In looking at the opposite sex, I tend to be attracted to confident and clever guys - but I try to avoid those characteristics when looking for a boyfriend because they become patronizing and make me feel worthless.

Do you think you’ll be in a relationship two months from now?

Going by my lack of success in prior relationships, probably not. But who knows, that would be nice.

Does talking about sex make you uncomfortable?

Hmm, no, not really.

Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?

Emma I think? We were in the car on our way home from Coleraine. The topic was how crap we felt that we were both single. Eh, it happens.

Do you like it when people play with your hair?

Yes I do! I remember in Primary School girls loved plaiting my hair because it was so long.

Do you believe in luck and miracles?

I don’t believe in luck but I believe in miracles.

Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

Nope, some things are best left in the past.

Do you still talk to your first crush?

Haha, sometimes! Not for a long time now. I was only 6 when I had the crush so I’m not sure if it counts.

Do you like bubble baths?

I love bubble baths! I got two bath bombs - one for Christmas and one for my birthday and haven’t used either. I was going to last night, but I think there’s something wrong with the bath tap and it still isn’t fixed. The only thing I don’t like about baths is the wrinkly fingers you get when you sit in the water too long.

Do you like your neighbours?

My neighbours are my Aunt and Uncle and Granny and Granda, so yeah I do.

Where would you like to travel?

Honestly I’m not big into traveling very much, but I have always wanted to go to Paris and Japan.

Do you have trust issues?

Unfortunately I do. 

Favourite part of your daily routine?

Reading my bible notes as I eat my breakfast.

What part of your body are you most uncomfortable with?

My tummy - it’s where I put on weight. Noot.

What do you do when you wake up?

I check the time on my phone usually, then I just get up, open my window, make my bed and go eat!

Do you wish your skin was lighter or darker?

I sometimes wish it was a bit darker so I had a beautiful tan all the time!

Who are you most comfortable around?

Emboooooot. 

Have any of your exs told you they regret breaking up?

Nahh

Do you ever want to get married?

Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t. When I was 16, I mapped out my life: I wanted to have found the man of my dreams by the age of 20 - then we would date for a few years and wed by the age of 24. Now I am 21, and I couldn’t imagine anything worse than getting married.

Do you play sports? What sports?

No I don’t, haha. I really am not the sporty type. 

Have you ever liked someone and never told them?

Haha yes, many times! Most times actually. I am spotting possible reasons as to why I may be single...

Describe your dream guy?

Goodness, where to I begin! Curly hair, gorgeous dark eyes and/or a killer smile gets me every time. Bonus if they wear glasses. Brilliant sense of humour and able to laugh at my lame-ass jokes. Gentle and kind. Christian of course. Not too romantic. Able to embrace and accept me the way I am. (Please send applications to.......)

What are your favourite stores to shop in?

I love ZARA, T.K Maxx (bargains yeooo) and River Island (sometimes). 

What do you want to do after you graduate?

After I finish my undergrad, I’m hoping (God-willing) to do a Masters. After that... I’ll probably geta  job somewhere or if that’s not available, I’ll keep doing various design freelance work.

Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?

I guess it depends on the situation and what destroyed the first chance.

If your being extremely quiet what does it mean?

Ohh! Good question. I go very quiet if I’m in large groups, with people I don’t like, if I’m tired or if I disagree with what someone says.

Do you smile at strangers?

I try to smile at strangers - I actually made it as one of my New Months Resolutions last year (trying out something for a month) but it’s actually really hard because you don’t want to look creepy or give guys the wrong idea, haha.

What makes you get out of bed in the morning?

Lots to do! I am a morning person. The earlier I wake, the better I feel. I know that goes against the norms of most people my age, but if I wake any later than 11am, I feel there’s no point getting up because half the day is basically over.

What are you paranoid about?

I fear people think I’m overweight - even though I’ve lost a lot of weight since school. Still, I’m afraid of looking fat and I’m very self-conscious about it. 

Ever wished you were someone else?

Definitely not. While I’m sometimes unhappy with my appearance (who isn’t, I guess) I wouldn’t want to be anybody else.

One thing you wish you could change about yourself?

I wish my metabolism worked quicker. Doesn’t matter how well I eat or how much I exercise, I could stay the same weight for three weeks solid. Then I give up and eat crap and immediately gain 3lbs.

Ever been in love? 

No I haven’t.

Facebook or Twitter?

I’m saying Facebook because everyone is on it, and if you need them, they’re probably there. Plus you know what’s going on with other people.

Twitter or Tumblr?

Tumblr is wonderful but a terrible time-waster. (http://claudbeans.tumblr.com/)

Names of your best friends? 

Should I answer this? I have lots of wonderful friends in different places and I don’t like ranking them. Emboot has been my best friend for 9 years though.

Favourite animal?

Ooh, I can’t just choose one. I love dogs, zebras and alpacas.

Do you tan a lot?

Unfortunately I don’t! I used to tan a lot better when I was younger, but I think the many years spent as an ‘inside’ person ruined my tannable skin.

Have any pets?

I have three dogs: Toby the Westie, Mikey the Labrador and Bennie the Collie thing.

How are you feeling?

Honestly I’m pretty good, while I’ve loads of dissertation coursework to do, I’m pretty positive about it all at the minute. I got a job which should span into the summer so I’m over the moon about that. With my end of year show, graduation and holiday coming up, things are looking promising.

Do you type fast?

Yes I do - I’ve been told that quite a few times. 

Do you regret anything from your past?

I try not to think about the past. I think anything bad that has happened to me before has defined me as a person, so I wouldn’t change anything. NO RAGRETS.

Do you miss anyone from your past?

Yes, so many people. It’s one of those things you become aware of when you get older, particularly when you leave school. People move on. You want to hold on, but it’s impossible. Life gets in the way, new friendships are made and old ones are neglected. It’s really hard.

Ever broken someone’s heart?

I hope I haven’t. If I have, I’m really sorry. Let me know if I have and I’ll make it up to you..somehow.

Have you ever been on a horse?

I recently learnt I’m actually VERY afraid of horses. They are really big and could crush you! I honestly don’t know how people think it’s okay to get on top of it!

Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt?

Yes, oh wow it’s such a bizarre feeling. If I really, really like someone I lose my appetite (that’s about the only time that happens...ha.)

Are you mean?

I used to be. I actually was really horrible to some people and I didn’t even care. I’ve softened over the years. People being mean to me allowed me to see perspective of how I treated others

Is cheating ever okay?

No it isn’t. Like some people already feel super insecure, the thought of their partner cheating on them makes it even worse. It is dreadful.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

I don’t know. It’s never happened to me. 

Do you believe in true love?

I do believe it exists. But it hasn’t happened to me either.

What makes you happy?
I’m really happy when I’m laughing at really dumb jokes with friends, snuggled watching T.V with family on Sunday afternoons and that feeling that it’s going well when I’m working on graphic design stuff. 

16 YEAR OLD ME...

List 10 things (warnings) you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

TERRIFYING PHOTOSHOPPED IMAGE.

1. Don’t listen to what anyone else says - if you like the Jonas Brothers, that’s okay. (Because you'll grow out of it.)
2. G.C.S.Es are not difficult, however, A-Levels are. Brace yourself.
3. Don’t worry about getting a boyfriend. Because you’re still gonna be single at 19 anyway lol.
4. Keep growing your hair - I know it looks silly now, but it’ll get better.
5. Start learning to drive the day you turn 17. 
6. Do NOT drink that water from the bottle you found in your bag that day in the gym - it will make you sick the next day - yeah and that day would be G.C.S.E results day, of course.
7. Over the summer you’re going to learn what K-Pop is. That’s a warning by the way.
8. DON’T WEAR CONTACT LENSES EVERYDAY. Eye ulcers are NOT pretty.
9. Stop fighting with your friends over silly things - it’s just not worth it. Actually, appreciate them when you still have them.
10. You’re only young once - after this life becomes more complicated. Enjoy being silly.

FIVE

Let’s kill a few birds with a stone. Quite a few of the questions from the master post require 5 answers so I’ve selected them all and put them in one post. 

Describe 5 weaknesses you have:
☹ Aggressive - My attitude to my state of affairs in everyday life is much more energetic than others peoples’. That’s the way I like to think of it anyway.
☹ Cynical - I think of myself of a realist - I look at situations logically, and depending on the circumstances, can quickly gauge if something is going to work or not. However, others don’t seem to think things like this through, so when people have ‘great’ ideas or plans, I shoot them down straightaway - which makes me look like a cynical, horrible human being.  (I apologise to Kerri and Sebastian here - who are both my main targets of my cynicism.)
☹ Impatient - I have little patience when things aren’t working or I feel I could be elsewhere instead of wasting my time, so I get irratated and angry.
☹ Power-Hungry - In some situations I can’t help but takeover - especially if I’m good at something or have knowledge of what I’m talking about. Makes me look like an obnoxious smart-ass though.
☹ Unable to work in groups - This is probably one of my biggest weaknesses ever, I can’t stand group work. People irritate me, especially if they don’t work. I just can’t be bothered and go quiet. I prefer focusing on my own tasks and getting the job done alone.

Describe 5 strengths you have:
☺ Creative - I know I’m not the most intelligent student, but I love using my creative skills to produce and enhance things in every opportunity.
☺ Honest - I like to think I’m an honest person and friends can ask me for advice.
☺ Friendly - Despite my many weaknesses I am a dead-on person and will always try to say hello.
☺ Sensible - Although I’m incredibly cynical and harsh, most of the time I think my actions through and know the difference between right and wrong.
☺ Ambitious - I look ahead for greater things in my life - I want to work hard and try my best.

Describe 5 pet peeves you have:
☠ Bad Drivers - Ha! Well this is ironic in a way - but I really notice how badly some people drive, mainly because I had like two dozen driving lessons and drove day and night for my practical exam.
☠ Bad Manners - Not saying please and thank you and swearing cracks me up the most. Where is the decency with people now-a-days?
☠ When my earphone lead or another lead catches on something and pulls out - eugh this is explanatory really.
☠ People who make noises when they eat - DISGUSTING.
☠ Bad Grammar - I don’t understand how people my age still get there and their mixed up...

What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
✭ Losing my first stone at Slimming World in August 2010 - best feeling ever, my confidence soared.
✭ Moving to Coleraine and study IMA - A big step in my life, one which I had to take alone. But also one of my best decisions I’ve made. I feel truly blessed for being giving the opportunity and I will continue to work to the best of my ability.
✭ Getting my driving test in March 2012 - woo, although I still don’t really like driving like I thought I would, it’s still cool that I can.
✭ Learning how to use public transport - This may sound silly, but you guys have no idea how much I hate it! It scares me.
✭ Passing my Maths G.C.S.E level - I really struggled with Maths in school, and to be honest I still do. You’ve no idea how proud I am that I managed to work hard enough and get enough marks gathered up to pass it.

What are 5 passions you have?
♥ Design - I love placing and organising things on a page, or on a wall and make it look good. I spend hours putting pictures up on my wall and putting them in order depending on their colour or subject. Yeah I'm pretty lame. -.-
♥ Fashion - I adore experimenting with different ways to put my outfits together, finding unusual accessories and seeing how others dress.
♥ Time-keeping - I get a real kick from listing everything I need to do and creating time-plans of what I need to do... sigh I DO live a sad existence. :(
♥ Computers - I love learning new skills on the computer - it appears to be one of the few things I’m told and can remember easily. Hooray for knowledge.
♥ Living for God - there is nothing more satisfying seeing God working in my life - wether it being something huge or something tiny which makes my day. It makes life worth living.

List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them:
♫ Music - Music is great, although I can’t play, I love to listen. I often would be searching far and wide to find new artists to listen to.
♫ Shopping - I love shopping because it makes me feel good - I sound like a shopaholic but I’m not, ha. I love bargain shopping - I never buy clothes at full price so I feel victorious getting something expensive for nothing!
♫ Trampolining - I LOVE setting up my mini-trampoline and putting on the television/PS3 and bounce to some music videos - easiest way to exercise and for some reason it’s fun.
♫ Autograph Collecting - Unfortunately I don’t collect autographs the way I used to - but it’s so much fun getting post and finding I’ve got an autograph back!
♫ Blogging - I guess I really enjoy blogging too! There’s something therapeutic about it and it’s nice having something to do in my spare time that doesn't demand anything. It’s like a log of my life.

What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
☼ Having the whole summer ahead of me - hope it’s good.
☼ Thinking about moving into the house in September - very excited!
☼ The beautiful weather - I’m finally getting a tan.
☼ Downloading new songs into my iPod - listening to them the first few times is the best.
☼ Considering doing Fused this summer again - I wasn’t planning to to be honest, but I feel I’m being called to do it, so I will if it's meant to be.

List 5 things you would hope to be remembered for:
✩ To be relatively happy for most of the time.
✩ To be remembered as the person I am, not the one people judge me as. (Polite, friendly and truthful - not rude, intimidating or posh. Although I may have given that impression in the past, I want to remove that because I'm hoping I don't have these traits anymore.)
✩ Having some sort of impact on at least one individual’s life.
✩ To be someone people could talk to if they need help or advice.
✩ To be an overall decent human being.

EASTER POST

Some words which have come into my head which I want to write about, eh?

Easter

I’ve been off for Easter this past week and next week too. So far I’ve had a lovely time off - meeting up with people I haven’t seen and also creating my Motion Graphics Visual Diary. We’ve also got some Easter Eggs which I plan to tuck into tomorrow. Yummy!

Car

I like driving now - how hypocritical of me, but I when people say getting your test is so much more better than learning, it’s definitely true. I never thought I’d like it though. Although I enjoyed the craic with my instructor, learning did get very tedious after a while. I’m glad that part of my life is over. I’ve my whole life ahead of me and I am free. Driving alone is so much more fun!

Social Networking

Okay, okay this is the very very last time I will rant about this. In the past few months, Twitter - you all should be familiar with it - has been increasing in popularity. I used the Twitter sphere to ESCAPE from silly Facebook friends’ updates - and now they all are making a Twitter account and FOLLOWING ME.

GO AWAY. GO AWAY, I SAY. I miss my freedom of expression, where I could tweet whatever I wished - now I feel I must censor it according incase it offends any of my followers. Hogwash!! I will only follow my friends and a few special others - this includes people from my course, celebrities and interesting/amusing people. Oh! And finally, don’t say Twitter is better than Facebook - it certainly is not. They both have their own features unique to the site - so just, eh, just shut up....and now I will too.

Friends

I’ve met many fantastic people through university, but nobody understands me like my friends back home do. We’ve been through so much together this past couple of months and we still stick together. I actually love you guys. Let us have many more laughs and memories together.

Diet

My weight is the bane of my life. For a while it was great, I actually had kinda lost my appetite - still not sure why, but alas, it has returned to it’s all-powerful self. I miss last year...I want my confidence back.

University

Would I go back to school? Not in a million years. I adore university - the freedom, the opportunity to meet new people and to study what I love.

My Classmates: Hannah, Seb, Rebecca and Emma in particular,

The other IMA guys who have made us all very welcome to our course: Eoin, Wilson, Michael, Nick, Louise, Lance, Sam and many others too!

My Flatmates in Cranagh: Kerri, Deirdre, Joanne and Anne.

CU friends: Shannon, Alison, Rachel, Danielle, Hannah S, Jenna, Alannah and some others too...

You guys are all awesome!

Music

I’ve been trying to re-evaluate my life this past fortnight and I’ve been cleansing myself from some certain music. Sometimes you can get carried away and you don’t even realise. I need to get my priorities right and my music is a good place to begin. I told a few people I’m trying to sort myself out, and honestly I don’t think they took it seriously - but I feel in my heart it’s time to move on. Although it won’t be easy, sacrifices need to be made to make room for greater things.

Faith

Last Monday we were challenged by our Small Groups leader to wake early and have our Quiet Time in the morning before we get up. Normally I would do a quick Bible chapter and prayer and conk out at night. Some nights when I was too tired I wouldn’t even bother. I knew it wasn’t very effective but it was just a bad habit I was stuck in. So I took on this challenge, and seriously, it’s been the best choice I’ve made in a long time.

I’m most focused in the mornings - so it’s a perfect routine for me and I’m able to spend more time praying and understand what I’m reading easier because my concentration level is higher. It’s also affected my whole day - I swear I’ve had the most fulfilling days since starting it. I’m happier and I feel closer to God, which is incredible. I love it!

Time for bed,

- Claudia

MOTION GRAPHICS

Hello friends,

Okay super quick report because I’m tired.  My aims were to finish my Motion Graphics before the end of this week. (Friday) I worked like a bulldozer to get it done and successfully completed it today. Wanna see?

I’m pretty pleased with it - there are a few wee tiny mistakes but if you all saw how they looked before you’d settle for it the way it is too. 

I done all the illustrations - drew them out, scanned them in and coloured them on Adobe Photoshop. Some were more difficult than others. (Benedict Cumberbatch may or may have not been traced.)

I wish I could have included everyone - because I know there's some people that should have been in it - but alas, it could not be.

Thanks to all who have liked and commented on it on Facebook. It can be used for feedback in my Visual Diary - which will commence operation next week.

Wow, this sounds incredibly serious doesn’t it? Let’s finish this post of with a celebratory waaayyyyyhheeeeeeyyyyyyyyy!!

Happy Easter everyone!

BLUE

I was about to introduce this blog post stating how I haven’t blogged for a while etc. but decided that is not the way to go, since 1. it’s very boring and 2. it was only a fortnight ago.

I haven’t had any time to chill so have spent my evenings doing that instead of blogging. (That means pigging out in front of the laptop stuffing my face and staring at my Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr feeds all night)

The interesting thing now is because I’m at university, it is a lot more likely that one or more of these are someone a lot of you don’t know. Which means you can't guess them unless you live inside my head. Not trying to twist your minds or anything, it is fact.
I don’t compose these to bring attention to myself or my blog, I like having somewhere I can document and express my thoughts freely. Kaboom!

- Explosion of ponderings -

One.

I miss being close to you, I feel like we are drifting apart and I’m trying desperately to repair what we have lost but I genuinely don’t know what to say anymore. I feel like I’ve been cruelly left out - not intentionally though - and I miss the craic. I miss you more than anyone, because you are so lovely and genuine and you were my first friend. Can we please try and fix this because I’m at a loss of what to do. 

Two.

You are messing with my head, like seriously. Why must I fall so easily, especially of all people, why must it be you! I swore to myself I wouldn’t let this happen again, except this time it’s much worse because it is you and I can’t, and won’t, even tell anybody. I hope these feelings will go away because it’s all too confusing and I’m being silly and will therefore shut up.

Three.

I’m very glad you are back in my life. I know I am losing hope others and feel I am welcomed back with you. It’s comfortable and I feel so at ease talking to you. Just like old times. I really appreciate your company and hope we can become really great friends again. 

Four.

This is far too difficult, I want to help you but it is just too much effort. I physically can’t help you if you can’t help yourself. I have others and don’t need you either. Just don’t hurt yourself. Sorry.

Five.

I can’t kid myself, and I certainly can’t kid Emma. YOU ARE STILL MY KING OPPA.

(Honestly I think oppa is one of my favourite words ever. C:) Oppas make Claudbag happy, I need many oppas. I collect them and keep them safe. Hehehehehe.

I’ve been feeling very negative and sad lately, please someone cheer me up. I guess I’m feeling BLUE.

My boys are back. I love BIGBANG. ♥

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I am now 19, this gives me 365 days of being a teenager left.

I must make this worthwhile. Let’s list all the things that needs to be done.

1. Meet loads of new people.
2. Be nicer to my family.
3. Live for God.
4. Pass my exams.
5. Always try my best.
6. Reconnect with friends whom I have lost contact with.
7. Start sketching again.
8. Have faith in myself.
9. Have confidence in everything I do.
10. Stand up for what I believe in. 
11. Remain close with my friendship group from school.
12. Have a bit of romance in my life.
13. Eat more fruit.
14. Wear my retainer to bed.
15. Go on holiday.
16. Learn to cook.
17. Write letters.
18. Save money and spend it on something great.
19. Obtain my dream weight.
20. Become more inventive.
21. Buy a new pair of glasses.
22. Plan something awesome.
23. Learn how to use my graphics tablet.
24. Walk the dog more often.
25. Do something dramatic to my appearance.
26. Compliment others.
27. Get a job.
28. Take more photographs.
29. Continue to do my photo-of-the-day until 31st December 2012.
30. Spend more time with Jared.
31. Learn to drive.
32. Don’t stress.
33. Read more books!
34. Don’t worry.
35. Make more eye contact with others.
36. Redecorate the container.
37. Do something which would usually scare me.
38. Stop caring what others think of me or my interests.
39. Take vitamin tablet daily.
40. Go to a party.
41. Stop snacking, especially in the evening.
42. Travel alone.
43. Practice my signature because it's a mess.
44. Turn off the internet and dive into other hobbies.
45. Look after a plant.
46. Build up my physical strength.
47. Give money to the poor.
48. Get out of my comfort zone.
49. Make a movie.
50. Take make-up off before bed.
51. Go on holiday with friends before we all go our separate ways.
52. Spend less time online.
53. Recognize and praise the accomplishments of others.
54. Explore and widen my music taste.
55. Start baking more often.
56. Apologise for any wrong-doings.
57. Create a list of my favourite films.
58. Make more phone calls.
59. Work on being more flirty.
60. Pray consistently and earnestly.
61. Control my temper.
62. Drink less tea.
63. Stop being a horrible person.
64. Join an extracurricular activity.
65. Enjoy every day as much as possible.
66. Go to the beach.
67. Schedule some me-time.
68. Express how I really am to people I don’t know well.
69. Read my Bible regularly.
70. Smile at random people.
71. Stop, break and breathe.
72. Eat food from around the world.
73. Help out round the house.
74. Use the stairs instead of an escalator/lift.
75. Get experience a paid or voluntary job relating to my career.
76. Become less reliant on my mobile phone.
77. Stop being shy...
78. ...and even worse, snobby.
79. Tell someone I love them.
80. Practice willpower.
81. Sort out my skincare regime.
82. Look at the stars.
83. Keep secrets.
84. Turn down my music volume or I will go deaf.
85. Improve my posture.
86. Be more friendly and approachable.
87. Look after myself.
88. Spend more time with my Grandparents.
89. Continue to look for bargains, like a boss.
90. Bake a cake.
91. Watch different T.V shows.
92. Look after my hair.
93. Enjoy a bath.
94. Stop Facebook stalking.
95. Mend any broken relationships.
96. Keep my wardrobe organised.
97. Drink loadddsss of water.
98. Work on things early and get them done and out of the way.
99. Do what I love and what I want to do.
100. Live life to the fullest.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS 2012

Hello, yes I’m a bit late posting, as usual, but I had an exam there so had to focus on it. Now it is completed and before I need to start work for the next one, here is my plans for 2012.

Oh yes, Happy New Year everyone! 

Diet

As usual, I need to diet. I am excited to inform you all that I have been asked to be a bridesmaid at a friend’s wedding! :D I’m very excited about that so will need to prepare and look my best for Summer 2013. I have a weight chart in my room and would love to be able to accomplish it, I find it unlikely though.

Photo Diary

My main priority this year is to take a photograph every day of 2012 to remind me of what I done on each day of the year. Here is the blog that I’m uploading my Instragram images to. It’s simple but fun.

Don’t Complain

I hear too many people from different parts of my life complain about every possible occurrence in their life. I don’t want to be like that and want to be positive in everything I do. I’ve learnt last year of how precious life really is and feel I need to make the most of everyday that I’m given on earth. A good start would be to stop complaining about the small things.

Work Hard

This time last year I would never have expected that I would be in University of Ulster Coleraine doing the course which was actually my 5th choice in my UCAs application. Now I totally adore Interactive Media Arts and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I want to work extremely hard and achieve good grades because I’ve been so blessed to be chosen for this course.

Save money

I was given a fair sum of money for Christmas and I don’t want it to go to waste, unlike the money that I spent in first semester (which was colossal) - where DID it all go!? I want to keep it safe and use it for something important. Example: If SM or YG decide to put a show on in London, I will use it then!

No stressing

I’ve forbidden myself from stressing to the point of crying when exams loom. Unfortunately I’m one of those people who just can’t handle it, and eventually break down from the amount of stress and pressure. I’ve tried so many options but still crack. Alas, I’ve already broken this one... silly Claudia.

Look it's me - okay no it's not... but it could be. No I'm not like that. Really.

Get a boyfriend

This one has been added as a joke between Rachel and I! Of course, it’s unlikely I’ll meet T.O.P this year, but perhaps I’ll settle for someone else? 

(What hashtag is appropriate here? #Claudiaisfussy or #Claudiaiseasy?)

YEAR OF THE G-DRAGON.

- Claudia out!

LIGHTS GO ON AGAIN

I feel super guilty that I haven’t been properly active in Blogger in ages. Usually I would have one or two posts just waiting but unfortunately I haven’t written anything in ages.

This is because:

1. I’m too lazy.
2. I’m too busy.
3. I’m too tired.
4. I’ve ran out of ideas.

This makes me sad because I want to blog. It is frustrating!

Anywho, here is the list that I prepared before my exams had ended. Shall we see how it is getting on?

Completed:

• Finish my exams: Yes I have completed this, not successfully, but it is done.
• Get a job and earn some money: Laugh if you will, but I am currently employed in my Dad’s electrical business. I’ve been out working with him. Yes, manual work. No, I’m not joking. Money is money, serious stuff.
• Clean out my room: I recently got my whole room varnished (it’s entirely built of wood) so it was calling for a makeover. I shall blog about this soon! It just hasn’t been tidy enough to even consider taking pictures of it.
• Send a MAMMOTH amount of fan-mail to different celebrities and test how many will return: YES! I sent away 9 letters last week. Those included were Helen Mirren, Michael McIntyre, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Daniel Craig, Jamie Oliver, Keira Knightly and Sienna Millar. Will I get any back...who knows! Fingers crossed.
• Get my ears pierced: I got them pierced a fortnight ago, which means this is ticked off my Bucket List too. You may wonder why I did, after waiting for 18 years. Mainly because I felt I was missing out. It was annoying shopping and seeing an awesome pairs of earrings and not being able to purchase them, so why not just fix the problem and stop being so awkward about it?

Not Completed Yet:

• Learn how to use Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, Audacity and Premiere to prepare for my Interactive Media Arts course in Colraine: I actually had forgotten I had planned to do this...I still have two months off.
• Learn how to use my graphics tablet: Again, two months off. I’ll get round to it.
• Attempt to practice some photography: Why on earth did I write this one??
• Prepare stuff for university: In due time my friend.
• Order more Snapfish photos: I had planned to do this tonight, but I’m blogging instead.
• Paint some big-ass pictures with acrylic paint: I need to practice little paintings first. I’ve done a total of two but hope to produce more in the next few weeks.
• Have a container sleepover party: This is in preparation. I am currently cleaning and redecorating the container (I shall blog about this too) we just need a night that suits everyone!
• Organise a meet-up/dinner with ‘our lot’ from school: Forgot about this one too, but I think John or Kerri is planning something instead.

Getting there...

• Start driving again: Yah, if someone else asks me about driving I’ll slap their head in. It’s annoying enough that they have changed the test at the end of June. Just making it more difficult for me. I have been out numerous times but it’s surprisingly hard to make times for things you don’t like doing.
• Exercise loads and obtain my goal weight: I’ve been at Slimming World for about 12 weeks now and to be honest, I’m getting nowhere. I lost 1 1/2lbs last week but I could do so much better. It’s hard when I’m out and about to keep following the plan.
• Get a £1 coin money box, collect £1, £2 and notes and not to touch it. Behold! Hundreds of pounds gathered very quickly! : This is going well! I still haven’t touched the money box. It’s very tempting to though. It’s a good way to save so I recommend it.
• Have some more container parties before my friends desert me forever: Friends have been here numerous times already but when the container is finally decorated it will definitely be PARTY TIME.
• Redecorate the container: It is time for the container to get a makeover. It’s a sin I don’t look after it as well as I could. It’s currently getting walls done with new posters and pictures so fingers crossed it will turn out nice.
• Photo blog on Chictopia regularly: For those who don’t know, Chictopia is a community where the users post photographs of themselves, for fashion purposes, and the others post their opinions. Most of the users are absolutely gorgeous, and their photos are very professional, but James, Kerri and I do it for the craic and ours is pitiful. You can find our profile pages here, here and here.

No.

• Go to France and see SM Town on the 10th June: Clearly this did not happen because I did not get tickets (those tickets were as hard to obtain as the 2012 London Olympic tickets) and I would have otherwise blogged about it continously forever.
• Go to London on 19th June and stalk SHINee: Again, this didn’t happen because I’m broke and to be frank, just don’t care enough. Although it was extremely painful watching fancam footage of the five gloriously walking through Heathrow airport.
• Get back to the gym! : Blah! Super angry at this one, I CAN’T go back to the gym because my membership has been cancelled. Since I’m going to university in September Mum thought it would be more sensible to save the money spent there to put towards uni funds.

I have also added a few extra ones:

• Watch a new drama.
• Upload new art pieces onto Deviant Art.
• Meet up with various people over the summer.

And so it may continue...

Until next time,

- Claudia

KICK THE BUCKET.

I was having a shower and suddenly felt inspired to create a bucket list of things to do or places to see before I expire on this earth. Some of these are serious, some are ridiculous, but I would like to complete this list before I die, unless this occurs by next week, which would make it extremely unlikely.

• Pass my driving test.
• Get my teeth whitened.
• Send more fan mail to celebrities.
• Mail a secret to Postsecret.
• Visit Disneyland.
• Stay in contact with my pen-pal.
• Have children. Perhaps 3.
• Be someone’s inspiration.
• See a K-Pop concert.
• Visit New York.
• Go to a film premier and stand in the crowds squealing like a crazy fool.
• Obtain my dream weight. (I may keep track of this one.)
• Use a Fish Feet pedicure! *nibble nibble*
• Send a message in a bottle.
• Adopt a child.
• Own a walk-in wardrobe like Carrie Bradshaw.
• Save money.
• Live every day for Jesus.
• Create my dream home: something weird and interesting. Vintage and quirky.
• Give up something for Lent.
• Learn a K-Pop dance routine.
• Reinvent my style, influence from other female role models.
• Do some paintings on a large scale. (This will happen when I finish A-Level art.)
• Make a list of 100 films I want to watch.
• Get my ears pierced.
• Own my own business.
• Become a plus-size model, or at least participate in a professional photo-shoot.
• Become a style icon for others.
• Continue blogging for years to come

You know, if I pressed at this, I probably could have this whole list completed by the end of the year, excluding the exceptions of having kids and stuff. I just would need a whole lot of money to travel and buy.

Please donate to Claudia’s Bucket List!

CHOOSE TWO!

Today’s blog is about the future. Again. I’ve wrote about this far too often, and I know I should just settle, but I feel by blogging about it allows my thoughts to organise themselves a little and settle me before I sleep.

I’ve made a discovery. As you can see in my henry made diagram, I have illustrated what is likely to happen for women especially, maybe for men too, but not so much, when they leave school, A-Levelers I mean..or possibly tech. Ah blah blah carry on.

Unless you are some kind of Superwomen, which I may add some are because some have managed it, it’s not physically possible for ladies to pursue all three options: University, Traveling for a few years and Marriage and having children.

Perhaps I’m being ridiculous, or unrealistic, but I don’t think I could do all three, even though I really really really want to.

My reasons...

o University- Well I do want to do art, you all know that well. If I don’t, I am likely to end up in a dead-end job and being miserable. I have to do what I enjoy, I’d rather have a poorly paid job doing what I love than being richer doing something I don’t like. Get it?

o Travel- I love the idea of traveling. And because I’m young and healthy, I should before it’s too late. I want to explore the world.

o Marriage and Children- I love the idea of just settling down and having my own house. I know it’s difficult, but isn’t everything? And I feel being a girl, I just want to do the whole housewife and mother thing. I do love children, even if it seems like I don’t.

The flawed reasons...

o University- Okay Claudia, go ahead and do your dream art degree. Dive right in to the government’s new university prices and be in debt for the next 30 years. Fail to get a mortgage for your flat (yes, flat, not house) and enjoy losing sleep of owing the bank thousands for them 4 years you will never get back.

o Travel- Again, it’s expensive, and possibly a complete waste of money if you don’t enjoy it? And I don’t really like planes.. and what if I get stabbed or something?

o Marriage and Children- Marriage is an awful thing too, it’s hard work and children are little brats and expensive too. And you need to have children before your 30, or you would be an old Mum. GROSS.

And why they are just not compatible....

o Okay, if I decide to go to University and travel, I would be drowning in money problems forever (I already am, and that’s just eBay) I would likely not get a job after university because our country is in a bad enough state, imagine it in a few years, and then I could be leaving it too late to have children... if I get married at all that is. Then I would be a spinster for the rest of my life and live in Spain running a cattery. (Oh no, that’s Emma, LOL)

o If I do University and Marriage, I could deal with that okay, but then I wouldn’t ever have the chance to travel. Unless my husband wants to travel, but then we would have no money after the wedding. damn. Andddd that would be me spending cash on a uni education and not using it.. Or using it and failing to be a good mother or juggling so much I just combust.

o Travel and Marriage

So no university then, I would be miserable probably doing nothing. And it’s getting harder to get good jobs if you don’t have some level of qualifications. So I would be poor but I may be content after seeing the world.

Am I still even making sense? I want to be a Rich Super BusinessWoman who can travel the world for a few years, get married, be a housewife and raise kids. Basically.

LOTTO TIME.

Note that I contradict myself constantly. I guess we will just have to wait and see what’s in store. I just have no patience! Bring it on!

Your Rich Super BusinessWoman who can travel the world for a few years, get married, be a housewife and raise kids,

Claudia :)

UNCONSCIOUS MUTTERINGS. Pt. one.

Hello, I was feeling a bit bored so I stole/tweaked a meme-like game for my blog. I used Henry’s dictionary to find a random word of each letter of the alphabet, and below I recorded my initial thoughts and mutterings of each word. Enjoy.

Abba

I remember back when I was in Primary school, Jared and I had the cottage. It was a quaint little hut that was in our back garden. We lived July and August in it! Our neighbours Johnny, Lee, Lauren and Ryan often came down and we all squashed into the cottage playing games, watching T.V, craft and most importantly, listening to ABBA on repeat all summer. Good times.

Baker

This brought me back to London. It makes me think of the tube station, Baker Street, with the Sherlock Holmes tiles on the wall. I remember it vividly, not sure why. The whole station and the outside of it as well. Man I miss London.

Chitchat

Ah I can’t believe this came up! Firstly, may I point out the oddness of a Macbook dictionary, it’s got every possible informal word as well as normal ones. Jared and myself have been singing this Korean song Chu by F(x) all WEEK! It’s ridiculous how many times I’ve caught myself singing it. “I got a little plan so pick up the slack, You’re wastin’ time with the CHITCHAT” That’s Amber’s line. It’s only THAT line that gets stuck in my head, it’s crazy. Jared jokes that I fancy her because she looks like a boy with her tomboyish looks. Well haha Jared, you fancy Taemin!

Amber and Taemin: male or female?

Dance

Mike Chang and his immense dance moves and facial expressions are now in my head. Goodbye Amber and your androgynous looks!

Eclair

Mmmmm! Chocolate eclairs! I really want a chocolate eclair now! Chewy!

Fairies

Rather appropriately, ‘Ghosts’ by Siobhan Dongahy is playing on iTunes. That was Titania’s fairies and Oberon’s Army opening tune on our ‘Dream’ production. Sigh! How I miss Dream rehearsals!

Gangster

I have a song in iTunes that is in Slumdog Millionaire called Gangsta. I seriously like that movie and soundtrack. Now I want to watch it.

Halo

BEYONCE!! Actually, better than that. MASA!! The greatest K-Pop mash-up artist ever. I downloaded this track yesterday that’s a mash-up of DBSK’s Why Did I Fall In Love With You? and Beyonce’s Halo. It’s so amazing. Like, the tracks separately are class, but Masa just makes them even better. Why Did I Fall In Love With Your Halo? Find out here.

Icon

This really is defined without me saying. But...Audrey Hepburn!

Jamboree

What is a jamboree? Oh.

“A large celebration or party, typically a lavis and boisterious one.”

Nice. That reminds me I’m going to have to think of ideas for my 18th.

Kart

Mario Kart! I love Mario Kart. Nothing against the Gameboy Advance version (which is stunning in it’s own way, of course) but Mario Kart Wii is the greatest game of all time. Kanye that. I don’t think people will ever stop playing it because still when I play online there are a pile of others also racing. Yeah, playing online! It’s the only game I’m actually moved to get competitive over. Keep an eye out for me, I always play as Toad in the Concerto kart.

Lackadaisical

Aragh! I dispise this word so much! I just don’t understand how some lack enthausasim over the most exciting things in life. People, you only live once! Get off your backside and do something!

Magical

As a HP fangirl in my younger days, I thankfully held onto a Gryffindor cloak and dressed up as Harry Potter last night for Halloween. It was great fun! On another note, 19 DAYS TO GO!!!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

POUR ME A HEAVY DOSE OF ATMOSPHERE.

Ew, I’m wondering if my week can get more craptacular than this.
I haven’t updated in a while because one I’ve been busy and two everything else seems to have gone terribly wrong, stupid, ridiculous or awkward.

So I’ve been back at school since the first, then I was off again for a day. A few of us on that Thursday went to the Ulster Museum in Belfast which was enjoyable, we then went into town and saw Chrrisssttopphhherr!! (Not in McD's, but in Victoria Square! In his baseball cap and hightops, what a poser!) Back again on that Friday then it was the weekend. Good weekend indeed. :) Well Sunday sucked, but that's another story.

Then all last week I was exceedingly busy. I missed two full days of school due to attending Queens and Uni of Ulster Jordanstown Open days. Even though there were some mixed reviews, I really liked Jordanstown: they do the courses I am interested in and I just liked the closed in campus. It’s like a massive High School, with some shops and a s.u too. I think that would suit me rather well, but I would have liked it better if it was closer to Belfast city center. Queens was extraordinary, the building is beautiful, but I felt rather dumb as I walked round it because there’s no way I’d be going there, I just wanted to go for the day out. I attended a law lecture with Kerri. When I came out I felt as if I’d become a law student myself! Smarty.

The past few days have probably been the worst of this year. On Saturday night, I had a couple of friends down to watch Remember Me. (Spoiler: We got so freaked out when R’Patz was killed in the twin towers because it was the 9th anniversary that day! We were all in tears by the end of it...cry) So after they left I went inside I took my lenses out. I woke in the middle of the night with my right eye all sore and bloodshot. It was gross, but I thought it would be away in the morning.

Next day I couldn’t go to church because it was so bad. Bright lights, well any lights at all produced sharp pains. I honestly thought I was going to go blind. :0

Two doctors appointments and a Royal Hospital visit later, it is concluded that I have an ulcer behind said eye. Ewwww. I didn’t even know it was POSSIBLE to have ulcers there.

So now much to my dismay, I have to wear glasses for two weeks. And cut down how often I wear lenses. It’s my own fault really: I deserve to wear an eyepatch or something horrid because of the lense-abuse I gave my eyes.

I think everything is going wrong. Like the ulcer is affecting the way my brain is working or something. I keep doing silly things, things that make me go WTF CLAUDIA ARE YOU DOING YOU CRAZY FOOL... *falls asleep.*

Stupid post. Probably a lot more I could include here but I can’t be bothered tonight.

You should see my ironing pile.

- Claudia

Just googled eye ulcer: boke!!!! :(