LIAM DAY

Hello!

Another quick update on my celebrity watching! Last Monday (28th January) famous actor Liam Neeson (Schindler’s List 1993, Batman Begins 2005 and Taken 2008 to name a few) took a trip back to his home town of Ballymena, County Down - which so happens to an hour away from where we study at University! Not wanting to miss the opportunity to see someone so famous (and Hannah to meet the man of her dreams), Rebecca, Emma, Hannah and myself travelled early Monday morning to see if we could catch a glimpse of the movie star.

Although we arrived in Ballymena at the ridiculous hour of 8am, after a yummy McDonalds breakfast and a few hours of retail therapy, we were excited to see Liam at the Town Hall. It rained horribly for the majority of the day but that didn’t put off a crowd of over one hundred people gathering.

Our early start did not go to waste! The four of us found a place at the front of the barrier which gave us a perfect view of everything that was happening. However it also appeared to be an opportunity for the local news too! We got interviewed four different times and posed for endless photos. Although it felt really awkward at first, it was a good laugh.

The weather magically cleared up and just after lunchtime Liam appeared! The camera men went crazy trying to get photographs and we were also snapping away, praying he’d do a round of the barrier. Unfortunately we didn’t get to shake his hand, never-mind get a photo with him! However it was very exciting and I took some photos with my new camera.

When we arrived home, we made sure to catch all the news and by 7pm my Facebook newsfeed was filled with notifications that I was on television!! I’m very awkward on camera but thankfully, they cut the majority of the interview out. We appeared on UTV (below), BBC Newsline and RTE and also some photos appeared in a local newspaper and the BBC website. Here's the clip from UTV - I am on at 0:28 seconds! 

All in all, it was a excellent day and a great way to start Semester 2! Many thanks to Rebecca, Emma and Hannah for making it so much fun!

Lots of Love for Liam,

Claudia

SOMETHING...

SOOPER MEME MEME MEME MEME

Something you hate about yourself:
What a pessimistic question! I don’t think there’s anything I absolutely hate, just a few flaws in my personality and lifestyle I think I would like to change. One of them would be that I waste my time on silly things then neglect the things which are more important. Appearance wise, I always look really cross, so people think I’m aggressive - it’s just my normal expression though, sigh!

Something you love about yourself:
My wide variety of loud and embarrassing laughs.

Something you regret:
I regret not spending more time with my Granny before she died. I know that’s silly thinking like that because we visited her quite regularly. But I wish when I was there - I listened to what she said, I took interest in the conversation - instead of just sitting texting on my phone. Just thinking of it tears me up. How could I have been so stupid!

Something you have to forgive yourself for:
I have to forgive myself for being such a big horrible mess of a human being a few years ago. I’m trying to make up for it now by being nicer.

Something you have to forgive someone for:
Certain individuals who I felt bullied me in my younger years. Also a couple of people who made fun of my weight. There are some things which are harder to forgive than others.

Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life:
I wish I remembered who was important when I had them in my life. I wish I didn’t bicker with Jordan as much when she was alive. I wish I didn’t beat myself up due to my lack of self-confidence. I wish that I hadn’t told so many lies to my parents. I wish I wasn’t so angry at people for so many unnecessary reasons.

Something you wish you had done in your life:
I wish that I hadn’t wasted my life obsessing over things and used that time and energy to serve God. Why am I so capable of telling others to listen to K-Pop, but massively fail at telling others about the Good News of Jesus?? CLAUDIA YOU MESS.

Something you hope to do in your life:
Oh the usual female ambitions - get married, get a house, have kids, job etc.

Something you hope you never have to do:
Watch someone I love die - that would be a frightening and unpleasant experience.

Something you hope to change about yourself:
Wow these questions are deep! I hope to become 100% reliant on God. I always say I will, but when things are going well, I tend to forget about him. Then when things go wrong, I always expect him to fix my problems.

Someone who has made your life worth living for:
I remember Jordan saying in a post a long time ago: *cheesy Christian answer* My answer here is Jesus. He died for my sins so I definitely owe him one. Living for Jesus is the best decision I’ve ever made.

Something people seem to compliment you the most on:
My blue glasses, haha. Or my hair possibly?

Something you never get compliments on:
Er my eyes? I like my eyes anyway. Maybe no-one can see them because they are distracted by the glasses.

- Claudia

CHINA

I have had a super day - coursework handed in and shared quality time with Emma and Rebecca. Only an exam to go and then I'm finished for the holidays.

Fast forward to about 10 minutes ago - I received a text message. The text was from Hannah - a girl I know through C.U and through Media studies. She was asking if I was genuinely thinking of going to China. 

Let me catch you up - earlier in the week during a lecture we were offered the opportunity to go to China for a semester next year. There we could attend the media university there - which our university has recently teamed up with. So UoU students have been offered to be exchange students for a year, and we are the first year to be given the chance to.

My first impression of this offer was quite typically me - I thought it would be a fabulous opportunity, but alas, I would be too much of a chicken to actually go. (Then later I will complain that I don't do anything with my life. This is my mindset, it always has been. I'm a very negative person.)

I mentioned it to Mum in passing, and she just laughed it off. Agreeing that I would be too big of a woose to actually go and I just wouldn't be capable of it. This was an expected response.

Then I mentioned it to others - including my Small Groups leader Jemma and a few on Facebook - and they were insistent about how it would be an amazing opportunity and not to miss it. 

Now I am in a dilemma. In my head, I know it would be a terrible idea - I simply don't have the courage to go, I would have to leave my family and friends for a couple of months and YEAH, IT'S CHINA. This is the girl who hasn't even flown on a plane on her own. 

Then, oh, it's such a peculiar feeling - my heart wants to just say GO FOR IT! It'll be a wonderful experience, living away from home and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. And, yeah, it's CHINA.


But then, it feels like my heart is in pain - it wants to say yes, but I just want a go-ahead from God. It's a sick feeling of uncertainty. I want a sign that makes it so crystal clear. I want courage. I want to know if it's the right decision, or if something even better will be around the corner.  


Okay I'll shut up now,
Claudia

K-POP MUSIC VIDEOOOOOOOOOOOS

Okay, so I’m getting a bit tired of the other blogging meme. I’ve had lots of work to do lately which involves spending endless hours on the computer, so blogging hasn’t really been my favourite thing to do. Big deadline is just before Christmas and I can’t wait to get everything handed in. I started this blog post a few weeks ago and decided to finish it on my night off.

---

So I started listing my favourite K-Pop music videos - I can’t actually remember what made me want to do this but it seemed like fun.

Then I realised that 25 music videos were a bit much, so here I’m trying to list my ULTIMATE favourite music videos. Like, the absolute BEST. Yes, that’s a very difficult thing to do! And I’m inviting/forcing you to watch them. *o* ENJOY.

In no particular order...

Sorry Sorry - Super Junior

This song and music video was the culprit which introduced me into the world of K-Pop. I’m not sure if the overall music video is anything fantastic or is it just a mixture of affection and nostalgia for me. However it’s unarguably Super Junior’s best comeback and it’s one of the last videos where all 13 were together. (Yeah, 13 members.) Also it’s very, very catchy.

Haru Haru - Big Bang

First of all, it’s Big Bang. If that doesn’t instantly eradicate your conscious into mindless fangirl/boy squealing like it does for me, watch this one and follow a beautiful but soul-destroying story about two guys’ relationship with a girl. I’m not going to give anything away but get tissues.

Go Away - 2NE1

Okayy this video stars my all-time favourite female k-pop star CL, leader of girl-group 2NE1. (To Anyone or Twenty One). 2NE1 are like a sister group to BIGBANG because they are part of the same company, YG Entertainment. 2NE1 are my in my favourites because they are bold, quirky and haven’t the typical pretty appearance like most female artists, see Girls Generation or Wonder Girls etc. They stand out and aren’t afraid to be different, and also their tunes are CLASS! I could talk about them all day, but I need to remain focused and examine the video. I chose this one because it shows how badass they are, especially CL’s fierceness and individuality which I was trying to explain before. Also, their style is amazing.

This video was released in 2010 as part of their To Anyone album - so if you’re looking something new to listen to, I highly recommend it because I love every song.

Soooo, basically CL breaks up with her boyfriend (lol he looks female) and she is devastated. She seeks revenge and attempts to beat him in a race and fails, then she visits him at her house and he beats the living crap outta her (seriously), then she races him again... and then you can see what happens after that. I don’t want to give anything away. Incredible video but still...frustrating.

Roly Poly - T-ARA

Okay this one is so much fun. “Roly Poly” is an utterly addictive retro track with a fantastic music video to match. This M.V effectively imitates the seventies’ trend and T-ARA looks fabulous moving to the groovy choreography. You’ll have it on repeat.

Ring Ding Dong - SHINee

I initially heard this song about two years ago now and I still spontaneously sing a bit of it every day. This will be, without a doubt, the most catchy song you will ever, EVER hear. Like it or not, with one listens only once, it will be trapped in your head forever. To ensure this is permanent - the music video must also be viewed, meaning you can dance along. SHINee are, dare I say it, the One Direction of Korea - they have a band member to suit every girl’s taste. Except SHINee can dance with coordination and resilience! And in water too! Yes, SHINee are probably the best boyband out there at the minute. I lovvee this video. Fantastically elastic.

Mirotic - DBSK

If you like nakey men dancing sexy watch this. This was DBSK’s last comeback before they dissolved and WHAT A SHAME that was!! This video is captivatingly beautiful - it’s passionate and to put it bluntly, arousing. Yes, it’s rather sexualized with all their sexy moves and provocative outfits....but none of us really mind...good job SM Entertainment, good job.

Gee - Girls Generation
Just to point out the obvious comparisons between 2NE1 and every other girl group, here are Girls Generation - in other words, the goddesses of Korea. I find Girls Gen, or SNSD for their Korean name (So Nyuh Shi Dae) too skinny and fake, but most other boys in the world think otherwise. Despite this, I still like them and like their music too. This was the first music video of their’s that I watched but still think it’s one of their best. It’s cute and endearing and so typically asian. And, believe it or not, it’s catchy - I wish there was another word for catchy but I can’t think of one. But that’s exactly what it is. Ladies, prepare to hate your figures.

Butterfly - G-Dragon

In case you didn’t know, I’m very much YG biased, so I totally adore and support BigBang and 2NE1. As much as I love SHINee, I struggle to like SM Entertainment because they treat their artists like slaves, and I feel they have no freedom making their own music, unlike YG. Can’t remember why I started writing that sentence but G-Dragon, incase you didn’t know, is the leader of BIGBANG. In 2009, the members took a break and released individual singles. GD released the wonderful Heartbreaker album, another one of my favourite CDs which I could listen to the whole way through. He released this pretty song in late October. If you are into Anime and all that, I highly recommend this, because this MV is breathtakingly beautiful. GD is propelled into an animated world and meets a girl who falls for him. (Probably because of his gorgeous smile, how is he so pretty...) The odd thing here is how he’s the only one not animated, but his whole appearance makes it look like he is? It boggles my mind. Anyway it’s super cute and if you’re into the whole Anime art it would be worthwhile to have a lookie, I know Mary-Jane adores this.

Lucifer - SHINee

More SHINee - don’t be surprised. These guys released a Korean version of Lucifer in 2010, then a Japanese one a couple of months ago in 2011. My advice here is to watch the Korean first and take that in - it’s not as catchy as Ring Ding Dong - but after many listens I love it too. The highlight of this one is definitely Taemin’s hair - surprisingly gorgeous, and I want it! The outfits and hairstyles are a bit off (cough, Minho) but the choreography is fierce.

Having said that, in my opinion, the Japanese one is a TRILLION times better! Yes! You may wonder how SHINee could get ANY better but like, wow, the stylists actually got the hair and style 100%. It’s been like 9 weeks ago since they released it and I’m still geeking out. They look FLAWLESS. The cinematography is stunning - the varying pace in the speed of the image is absolutely perfect - I say this because it would be so complicated to get accurate in a fast-paced song. These impeded shots can reveal breath-taking close-ups of the boys’ singing and their movements - AND equal screen-time too, oh it’s faultless!

So I hope you are now thinking “Wow Claudia, that was fantastic! Thank you for recommending such wonderful and beautiful music videos to me!”

And if you don’t feel that, watch them all again.

EXAM FUN [K-POP]

Note: Started writing this out during the exams in May, saved it under another blog post in Pages, then forgot all about it until Emma mentioned it the other day. Whoops. It's not finished either. Not very interesting when I read it, but here it is....

Boredom has taken over again!!! Emma and I were mindlessly bantering in her car after the English exam, and we started this silly discussion about if K-Pop was an actual subject in school. At first we were all cocky and saying “Heh! We’d pass easily!”..Or would we?? So amused/hyper we started making up the most ridiculous questions that could appear in an exam paper.

Try and guess the answers!

Section 1: English

• What does F.T stand for in F.T Island? (1 mark)
• Compare and contrast MBLAQ with U-KISS using appropriate names, hangul, songs/album, style and success with the Korean music industry. (20 marks)
• Compare and contrast the characteristics of Key (SHINee), Jo Kwon (2AM) and Brian (solo) in terms of being a diva. (20 marks)
  
  

Section 2: Maths

• Measure the length of Siwon’s raised eyebrows.
• Heechul + x = Taemin

Section 3: History

• Explain the controversy between Hangeng and SM Entertainment. (10 marks)
• Discuss the impact of Xiah Junsu, Hero Jaejoong and Micky Yoochun’s departure from Tohoskinki in the late 20th Century. (15 marks)
• Explain why DBSK was so successful as a 5 member group in the era 2003 - 2010. (15 marks)
  
  

Section 4: Science

• Multiple Question: What is the weather like today? (1 mark)
  A. Nice Weather! B. It’s very hot. C. It’s...cloudy! D. RAIN.

• Calculate the angle that Minho’s legs move in the music video “Ring Ding Dong.”
  
  

Section 5: Religious Education

• Describe Siwon's missionary journey through Super Junior.

FAIL.

MOST WANTED

Autographs that would be awesome to have...

In no particular order...

• David Tennant - because he was a beast of a Doctor.
• Rupert Grint - because he's my Ron-Ron.
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt - because nobody looks better in a jumper than him.
• Johnny Depp - because he's probably the best actor in the world.
• George Clooney - because he's a very attractive old man.
• Ashton Kutcher - because he's an sweeeet guy.
• Daniel Radcliffe - because he's HARRY POTTER.
• Michael McIntyre - because he's the funniest man in the world.
• Gaspard Ulliel - because he's smokin' hot.
• Ben Barnes - because his face looks nice on photographic paper.
• Michael Cera - because he's an absolute wee dote.
• Paul McCartney - because he's my favourite second Beatle.
• Take That - because they rule the world.
• Bradley Cooper - because he's a hunk!
• T.O.P - because this one goes without saying.
• Tim Burton because he is a fantastic director.
• G-Dragon - because he breaks my heart.
• Zac Efron - because he is the music in me.
• Bi Rain - because he's the only type of weather I like.
• Tom Felton - be my big boy, Draco Malfoy.
• Lee Byung Hun - because he's amaazzzing.
• James Corden - because he is a hilarious man!
• Russell Brand - because he's very intelligent and amusing.
• Taylor Lautner - because if I had to choose I would be Team Jacob.
• Alan Rickman - because he plays the legendary Snape.
• Lee Min Ho - because he's my favourite Korean actor.
• The Wanted - because they are one of the few British boybands I actually like.
• Jared Leto - because what girl doesn't love Jared Leto!
• Black Eyed Peas - because I love their music.
• Nicki Minaj - because I love her clothes/figure/attitude.
• Emma Watson - because she's a perfect lady.
• CL from 2NE1 - because she's the baddest female Seoul city ever had.
• Katy Perry - because she's very stylish and cool.
• Lady Gaga - because she's one of few genuinely talented musicians out there.
• Ellen Page - because she's a good actress.
• James and Oliver Phelps - because it's time to get sleazy with some Weasleys.
• Taylor Swift - because I actually do like her.
• Anne Hathaway - because she's sooo pretty and very talented.
• J.K Rowling - because she gave us a magical childhood.
• Helena Bonham-Carter - because she's one of my favourite actresses.
• Meryl Streep - because she is classy.

I didn't mean that to be as perverse as they came across as....I found two of the Harry Potter ones online. And some of them were terribly boring because there weren't really reasons why I wanted them apart from just liking the person. Blah.

The word BECAUSE has lost ALL MEANING!

because because because because because because because because because because because because because

because because because because because because because because because because because because because

because because because because because because because because because because because because because

because because because because because because because because

BECAUSE I'M STUPID

This post is dedicated to Jordan.

When I hear people say “phrases” that trigger my K-Pop senses.

This idea was originally from a Tumblr post.. I just got carried away.

Big Bang: Lies

Someone: “I’m so sorry. :(”

Me: “I’m so sorry girl I love you I just can’t lie.”

Seungri- Stronger

Someone: “Hey Sexy-”

Me: “...CRACK CRACK CRACK”

Sorry Sorry - Super Junior

Someone: “Oh excuse me, Sorry...sorry!”

Me: “Sorry sorry sorry, naega naega, naega meonjeo...” *Rubs palms together and clicks fingers*

I Don’t Care - 2NE1

Someone: “That exam was horrendous. Ah well, I don't care...”

You: “eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh”

Hello - Shinee

Someone: “Is anybody there? Hello?”

Me: “Hell-o~hell-o”

Ring Ding Dong - Shinee

Someone: “Sure give them a ring and see.”

Me: Ring-ding-dong-ding-dong” *Dances*

Tell Me - Wonder Girls

Someone: “Tell me!”

Me: *Starts dancing* “Omona!”

Tonight - Big Bang

Someone: “Tonight.”

Me: “Tonighhhhht, toniggghhht!”

Oh Yeah - MBLAQ

Someone: “Oh yeah”

Me: “Oh yeah - oh yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah.”

Beautiful - BEAST

Someone: “How beautiful”

Me: “Beauty for my gurl”

Heartbreaker - G Dragon

Someone: “That’s heartbreaking.”

Me: “You’re a heart, heart, heart, heart, HEARTBREAKER.”

Clap - Teen Top

Someone: “That’s crazy.”

Me: I’m so cray cray crayzee CLAP CLAP CLAP.”

High High - GD&TOP

Someone: “Yeah, look up there, we need to go higher up.”

Me: “Okay party people in the house...HIGH HIGH, I’M SO HIGH.”

Pajama Party - Super Junior H

Mum: “Go get ready for bed. Your pyjamas are in the hotpress.”

Me: “PA-JA-MA, PA-JA-MA PAR-TY”

Gee - Girls Generation

Jordan: “Hey G!” (Meaning, Andrew G)

Me: Gee Gee Gee Gee b-b-baby baby” (Alas, I think this every time I hear her say that.)

Lollipop - Big Bang/2NE1

Someone: “Do you want a lollipop?”

Me: “loli loli loli pop, oh loli pop pop!”

Turn It Up - T.O.P

Someone: “Hey, I can't hear this. Turn the volume up!”

Me: “TURN IT UP NOW, TURN IT UP NOW."

I could continue, but I won’t...there’s too many.

Now please put me into a mental home.

I'm such a failure at life! I have an English exam on Monday!!

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 :)