2012: THE END

Helllooo - Happy New Year to all! What a strange year 2012 has been - definitely not my favourite to be honest. However the important thing is, did I keep to my resolutions? Here's the original post.

Diet

Aha, I did diet - (although I’m always dieting) - I managed to lose half a stone over the summer but alas, I still haven’t met my ideal goal. The challenge continues...

Photo Diary

I can proudly announce I completed my photo challenge! To those who are not sure what I’m talking about, last year I decided to take an Instagram photo and post it to Tumblr every day for 2012 to illustrate my day. Although it was sometimes an inconvenience and something I was very close to give up on, I’m pleased to have stuck it out to the end! Behold, here it is.

Don’t Complain

This one started out really well, surprisingly. I became really aware of others around me complaining and instead of joining in with them, it made me really thankful of how easy my life was!

However, after everything that happened during the summer, I began to feel down and kinda miserable - and after returning to university everyone’s negativity around me made me feel even worse. Even then, I didn’t complain - although everyone was driving me absolutely insane and everything in my life appeared to be going wrong. It certainly was testing times for me, and I didn’t handle it very well. 

Work Hard

Second semester of first year was great - I created a really cool Motion Graphics piece and got a brilliant grade in it, so I’m really proud of that. Overall, I was really proud of my first year marks so I guess that’s proof that I did work hard!

However I was shocked to see how much of a step up my course was from first year to second year. In first semester I was working so hard and for so long that I wasn’t enjoying what I was doing, it made me sad. I’m hoping this upcoming semester will be better!

Save Money

WOO I actually kept a book of my finances so that’s really impressive for me. I also opened another bank account to save money because to quote Claudia’s Blog 9/1/12 “If SM or YG decide to put a show on in London, I will use it then!” which THEY DID, as you all know, BIGBANG stopped there during their tour in December - success!

No Stressing

Believe it or not, since making this resolution I don’t stress as much as I used to. My whole attitude towards everything has changed. Although I wouldn’t call myself laid back, I definitely have chilled out much more more since 2011.

Get a Boyfriend

LOL - neither Rachel or myself successfully completed this resolution, maybe next year! (I did see T.O.P though...from a distance anyway!)

Much love,

- Claudia

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!

WISHES ONE

“When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires

Will come to you”

Firstly, I would like to say that I’m not copying James’ idea.

Secondly, I would like to say the first sentence was a lie.

Today begins the Wish blog post.

I think one of the worst things about growing up is that we stop wishing for things because it’s realised wishing does not work and we have to face up to reality. I detest maturity so I will discuss my most treasured wishes and dreams that I desire.

I wish for...health for my family present and future.

This really goes without explanation, but Mum always told me that your health is one of the most precious things you’ll have. So Mr Genie, I wish for good health.

I wish for... the perfect man and to be eternally happy.

I feel I am losing hope in ever finding a man, I must confess. And yes, I know I am still young, but most married couples meet or start dating in their late teens/early twenties and this fact distresses me greatly because I am ALONE!! And in all seriousness, I would prefer just to settle down and get married than go to university. But where I exist, no man takes my fancy. (being fussy is my downfall and the explanation for my singleness #claudiaisfussy) so I am optimistic that university will open some doors in the dating world.

So I wish for some decent guy to sweep me off my feet. (If he’s strong enough that is.)

I wish that...I would win reasonable amount of money.

I think if I had unlimited wealth I would be very discontent, so instead I have wished to win a rational amount of money that would allow me to survive a standard way of living in the future. Something that would allow me to pay off a mortgage, a student loan or assist in build a house. Then I would still have to work to afford luxuries. Seems like a fair deal to me.

I wish...that I could play the violin.

Sadly, I have no interest in music since being forced to play piano as a child. “Claudia, playing piano is simple maths! Just count the beats as you play!” “I HATE MATHS. I HATE PIANO LESSONS. I HATE EVERYTHING. LEAVE ME ALONE” This caused so much anger and dispute I refused to learn anything else after that. Regrettably, I really do wish that I could play the violin.

I think violins are the best musical instruments in existence. There is nothing more attractive than a someone who can play a string instrument: they look very elegant and composed, it’s so engaging. Love it!

I wish for...a walk-in wardrobe.

To put this simply, I’ve wanted a walk-in wardrobe for many years of my life. The first time such a notion came into my head was when I was watching the ‘Sex and the City’ film with Emma N. When I saw Carrie Bradshaw’s new wardrobe that Mr Big gave her I died inside. There’s so much space to hold everything, and I could change clothes in my wardrobe area without garments flying everywhere and getting lost all over the place.

I wish for...my student loan to be paid off.

I haven’t even started university yet, and already I’m thinking of the debts that will troll me for the rest of my working life. I do not like worry, and would like all these silly debts to vanish.

I wish...I could be able to turn invisible at will.

I think having the power to turn invisible would come in very handy in certain situations. Sneaking in places and listening to people’s conversations could be interesting...but perhaps disturbing too.

I wish...I could travel to Korea/travel without worry.

I’m not sure if you knew this, but I would like to go to Korea?! (Sorry, I’m not very good at sarcasm, baha)

I know it would never happen because 1. It’s a lot of money. 2. I have no-one to go with. 3. It would be difficult to prepare. 4. I’m too afraid!

As much as I love my family, I feel slightly burdened that I have been so overprotected! Now I’m older I feel as though I am incapable of doing anything on my own which makes everything very frightening.

I just wish I could go there without all the hassle from everyone. :-/

I wish....I could become a metamorphmagus.

Only if you are cool enough would you know what this is. If you know who Nymphadora Tonks is (Ha! If, everyone should know who Tonks is!) Tonks is able to change her appearance at will. Imagine how awesome and useful that would be?? I could customise my hair colour and style to match my outfits!

Part 2 will continue....soon.

SHAKESPEARE

A much needed blog post!

I have been so so SO busy recently. I don’t think I’ve been so occupied with life ever. So busy I haven’t had time to get a haircut, book a driving lesson or even pluck my eyebrows. It’s been non-stop the last three weeks or so.

It doesn’t stop there: I discovered I have something major on every week until the middle of November. It’s crazy. Having Lady Gaga and the Art Dublin overnight on the same week is NOT good.

So what have I been up to? I signed myself up to the Sound Crew for the Shakespeare performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream” the school is taking part in the Waterfront, as part of Shakespeare Schools Festival. I absolutely love it. I have made friends with people who I would have never talked to before and the rehearsals are great craic. However they are after school and on Saturdays so that’s taken up so so much time. Not that I mind, it’s just mad that I’ve been able to cope.

I also put myself forward as Media Rep for the show: basically advertising the production. I spent two weeks making a Show Programme on Pages on Henry mac, and people were saying how professional it looked. It’s nice being complimented for something you enjoy doing. I also created some posters (more will be printed eventually, I’m just so tired tonight I’m taking a night off) and a 3D art piece with information hanging from it, which only took one day to make!

Our first show was today last two periods to the Junior School. It went really well, the audience laughed a good bit, which kept on surprising me because I kept forgetting they were watching! We have another show for the Seniors tomorrow, then one at 7pm for Parents and Friends. Then Wednesday is the Waterfront performance! Oh I’m rather excited!

I also have G.B on Mondays and Sunday School with P.1s on Sundays, ah! Never realised how much fun helping out with church stuff could be!

I think I’ve become so focused on Shakespeare I just neglected everything else, now I have a humungous pile of school work, ironing and Iris/Betty/xfactor catch up on Sky+.

Things that will be going on:

• More performances
• The Waterfront!
• S.U Weekend
• Richard II in some theatre next Tuesday
• Halloween Holidays
• Lady Gaga
• Dublin Weekend
• Prefect Disco
• G.B Christmas Shopping

AHHH AND CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AND RESITS AND THE GYM AND DIETING AND--

I NEED ££££! :(