A word or two on my future

Ever since I was about 10 years old, I've had certain decisions about my life made up. I was always a very mature, opinionated child, and as such decided very young that I didn't care about getting married. Every other girl in my class seemed to put this in their life plan whilst I remained indifferent saying, and I quote, "I'm not going to be upset if I never get married." Perhaps wise words for someone so young. Maybe this was affected by the separation of my parents, maybe I was cynical from birth, who knows.

A few years later I decided I wouldn't have kids until I was older because I wanted a career first and foremost. Then that became, IF I have kids. And then that became, maybe I don't want kids and later, I don't want kids because I want my own life.

But something has changed lately and I think it has come from meeting the right person. He makes me want to be the bride, to be a wife and a mother, to have a family. If it never works out that way I won't be disappointed, but it's nice to want these things for the first time I can remember.

-A

Silver lining

I can sum up the majority of the last week or so with one word: stressed.

But besides panicking about deadlines, referencing, essays and money, I suppose it's not been all bad.

I found out today that I got my first ever first on an assessment, with a personal best of 72, which I am extremely happy about. Working at the pub hasn't been so bad, in fact I'm actually enjoying it more again now. And I'm full to the brim with ideas I wish I had time for.

And if nothing else, deadlines and exams will be over soon and then I'm off to Download festival.

Not long to go now kittens,
-A

Paignton Zoo

So I had never been to a proper zoo before until Thursday. I went to Paignton Zoo in Devon with my Reading Animals class and it was wholly magical, slightly depressing and fun all in one weirdly good day.


I must admit, seeing my teacher singing and dancing whilst driving is an experience I will not forget for quite a while.


I saw lots of amazing animals and my favourites were the giraffes, the gibbons and the cutest animal of all: the red pandas. They are insanely cute. Essentially, it's like a fox, cat and bear meshed into one and it's adorable.

-A

Happy birthday Rix

It is my beautiful housemate Rixxy's birthday today. She has reached 20 years and we're helping her celebrate with tulips, sock monkeys and gluten-free cake.

-A

Childhood dreaming

So I've been contemplating my future a lot lately kittykats, and it's all a bit strange.

Basically I've been feeling like giving up to be honest. I'm starting to wonder if the mundane life in Northampton that I've been so desperately trying to avoid would be so bad. So what if I don't become a journalist? Maybe working in Nationwide 9-5 everyday is inevitable. I'm not special.

But then yesterday I had a strange epiphany. It is a great secret of my life, that I have kept pretty close to my chest over the years, that ever since I was young I have wanted to be an interior designer. I've spent many an hour designing my dream house, or planning how I would re-do my house in Northampton in great detail. I'm constantly dreaming away about it, and going to B&Q is like entering Neverneverland for me - so much possibility! When I was younger I used to tell my parents that I would own my own interior design company and that that would be when I take up my full name (ha!).

Part of me wonders whether I should consider pursuing this. I mean, I do want to be a music journalist, but so does everyone and I'm not confident that I'm actually talented at it. Plus I'm afraid I'd fall out of love with it if I have to write about things I don't enjoy or if I force it. But I feel like I could be a good interior designer. I don't give myself a lot of credit personality-wise, but I do think I have a good imagination, and hopefully a good eye (besides the contact-lens requirements!). Although, I am studying a degree in English Literature so I worry that I'm considering too great a leap.

Anyway I suppose I'm just aimlessly rambling now. But it's strange how you can ignore or forget about your dreams from when you were younger when you spend so much time focusing on university and what future seems most appropriate...

Keep dreaming kittens,
-A

My boyfriend the photographer

These are two of the photos Ewan took of me at his brother's wedding. I like them more for the fact that he took them of me than how they actually look.

Sofa beds, powercuts and playing mother earth

Well kittens, it's been quite a week.

First, me and Becca discovered that my bed is actually a sofa bed. Now this excited me probably more than it should, but hey I've always wanted a sofa in my room and now I have one! I know it's childish but I considered it a brilliant discovery - I have a double bed and a sofa in my room?! Double classy points for me.

Perhaps the most important news was that of the Ray16 powercut.

Whilst cooking on Saturday, the power in our house suddenly went out. Whilst at first we assumed it was just a quick powercut, we decided to ring Southern Electric and we discovered it was just our house and that it was probably an internal fault. So we ring landlord Jim in the hopes he will rescue us, and we light lots of candles. The waiting-for-Jim process was actually extremely fun. We drank lots of Rose wine and chatted about scandalous things in a truth-or-dare style situation. It was great. Then Jim came and made it sound terrifying and told us he would try and ring an electrician tomorrow.

Although, tomorrow was a bank holiday so we were nervous. My fear of the dark led me to flee to Ewan's house for night, whilst Rix and Becca holed up in Francis' house.

An electrician came the next day and within about 10 minutes he had discerned that the problem was simply the toaster. It wasn't bad wiring like Jim had made out to us, they didn't need to tear up the house. Our electricity was restored in a few minutes and all because of a bad toaster. How silly. Although we did get a brilliant drawing out of it as you can see here. It's an Alex & Rix masterpiece.




Another thing that seems to have occured in my life is that I've become interested in plants. Well, I say interested, but what I mean is that suddenly I've wanted to have plants in the house and grow them. So I bought this Viola plant from Homebase and it sits proudly outside of our house on the doorstep. Despite getting crushed by some mean person, it's bounced back wonderfully and it's flowers are so pretty. I also bought a bright pink Gerbera to have in my room in a cream pot. Again, it's very pretty and definitely brightens up the room. I just have to make sure I remember to water them properly!

Besides that kittens, it's just been the usual fare: pulling pints, visiting the doctor, being loved up with the boyfriend and spending more money than I have. Wonderful.

Love always,
-A

A word or two on love

Sometimes you meet someone who just makes life better. Someone who will change your life, change you and change the way you see the world. It's called love my kittens, so I'm trying not to let it go. Because if I'm honest, it feels wonderful.