Exam Time

So, the last two weeks have been pretty crazy ever since term finished and everyone hit the library hard core to swot up before exams. The Hamilton library has been absolutely packed, I've had to been in college before 9.30am each day to make sure I get my usual seat. (I can't study in a different seat, It confuses my brain too much). Yesterday I wanted to go to the 24 hour study space. I got there at 8.50am and it was full. I was actually planning on getting there much earlier, but apparently the earliest bus into town leaves Ashington at 8.30 on a Sunday- How inconvenient!

Well, I wanted to share this link. It's a website that has playlists for studying to. (I know its a bit late what with exams already started, but better late than pregnant eh?!) They are playlists of piano sonatas, so they are soothing but not distracting. You can also choose between a one hour or two hour block so it also works as a good time keeper:

http://www.studylikeachampion.com/study-playlist.html

I haven't checked out the rest of the website, but I'd say that they have some other tips on studying if you are really finding it hard to get the head down at the books.

Well, it's not too long to go now. Friday I'll be celebrating the end of my official exams by going to the Pav and getting drunk on two cans. Oh yes. And then another week and I'll be finished third year for good... Crazy to think, only one more year of college before we graduate!

Good luck to everyone this week!
Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love,
Kizzy xx

Big Head

Bostonian with Avocado. YumYum.


I have a big head. This makes me sad as it generally makes it very hard to buy hats that fit my big head. I today stumbled across a website that makes fairtrade panama hats, for women, in a variety of sizes, you measure your head, order it, and get an awesome hat whilst saving the world. Great.

I also have decided that I want pink/coral skinny jeans, for summer, to make my world a little bit happier. Study has me down in the dumps. Topshop have some lovely pairs, as do ASOS, but for me, I have weirdly long legs, so I would need to try on a pair of jeans before handing over some cash as odds are they would be too short. A friend of mine, she is Swedish, has crazy long legs, and wears a brand called Cheap Mondays, so I think I may look for those and see what they are like from an economic/length point of view.

In an attempt to distract Kizzy from study I took her to The Pig & Heifer, New York Deli on Sandwith St., I had a Bostonian, she had a Cajun Chicken, and by all accounts they were fantastic. It is best to go either before or after lunch time as the queues can be manic, and also don't leave it too long after lunch as they close once all their ingredients run out. At around a fiver for a sandwich it could be called expensive, but it is worth it as you will not eat again for the rest of the day. I want one now in fact.

Too everyone sitting exams, good luck,

Benno.

Cinderella shall go to The Ball.

Bradshaw & I.

ASOS baby.

So Trinity Ball took place last Friday evening, it involves odd music, too much drink, being locked into Trinity for 8hours and great dresses and suits. Being my typical self I neglected to get a picture of myself and my dress, but there it is above, probably looked completely different on me. I was channeling some sort of Greek God, all gold bangles and headbands (a la Topshop & Kizzy). Had a friggin awesome time dude, hanging out with friends I had almost forgotten I had, running around like a mad lunatic & trying to imitate Canadian accents. The line-up this year, unfortunately was a disgrace, Japanese Popstars, Jape, Mystery Jets they were great, everyone else was a bit dismal to be honest, not my scene I guess? Also, Bradshaw wore a tie with his tux, personally think it was a mistake but whatever, & I have come home with a full on proper silk bow-tie from Louis Copeland, if this belongs to anyone, give us a shout yeah?

Sizzy

Chooooooon!

"I could really use a wish right now!"

I'm absolutely LOVING this track lately! It's B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams (That girl from Paramore I think.) This is definitely going to be such a huge Summer 2010 hit! Title is 'Airplanes'.

Download it here: http://usershare.net/41yyujte285y

Or just listen to it:



Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love,
Kizzy xx

Daffodils Baby!

"Daffodils" (1804)

I Wander'd lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:
I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

Casual...

Ebay.com

Asos.com

Asos.com

Phatlife.com

So, I just finished my thesis proposal... Kinda. Well, it's drafted and emailed away to Wally to be corrected, let's hope there isn't too much work to be done on it.

So as a little treat to myself I allowed myself to do some internet-shop browsing. Whilst doing this I came to the conclusion that I am overly picky. Really. I could find nothing I liked. Trawling through sites upon sites and nothing was appealing to me. I eventually decided on the above outfit.

I do actually really love the jeans, they look perfect. The shoes, meh, they'll do. I couldn't find a top I liked at all. I'm not into all this lace and floral stuff that seems to be in fashion at the moment. I was trying to find a leather top, lol, but couldn't come across one, so instead I settled for this street-wise little number. And then, of course, how can an outfit be complete with A BUMBAG?!

Bum bags it seems are only available at the moment in black, dark grey, or obnoxious pink in the kiddie's section. I managed to find this yellow one on Ebay, but it's a bit of a murky yellow. I want an illuminous one. Or a sparkly silver one. If anyone spots one around please give me a shout! I'm dying for one ever since yesterday when I suddenly got the brain wave to bring bum bags back...

Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love,

Kizzy xx

Summertime.

Homemade Lemonade, Real* Gourmet Burger, Dun Laoghaire
Ice-Cream Sundae, on a Sunday, ala Katie and Niamh
Fruit waffle, Lemon, Dawson St.
My mamma's flowers.
Scrambled eggs, and salsa, yumyum.

You may have noticed it's Summer. 16 degrees today, probably the warmest Ireland is going to get, for me this means Lemonade, salsa, ice-cream sundaes and avoiding study at all possible costs.

It also meens flowery dresses, crop tops, high waisted trousers and skirts, gladiator sandals, gold rings and bangles, wavy crazy hair and reading Vogue in the garden.

Katie H-B made the awesome Lemonade above, she has this amazing way of dressing, all tailored shirts and trousers, beautiful classic dresses, lots of lace. Very classic, very fitted, very awesome. Somehow manages to showcase her personality beautifully which I can have real problems doing sometimes. How to wear a trend and not let it take over your sense of style?

Enjoy the sun, we probably won't see much more of it.

Three things I want from a man...

1) Laughs
If a guy can't make me laugh he can't make me do anything. Full stop. Humour is just one of those typically masculine things. Most girls aren't that funny, and if they are then normally there is something a bit manly about them (Take Ellen DeGeneres for example!). Because of this, us girls depend on the males in our lives to make us laugh. If a guy can crack a few jokes he instantly becomes more appealing.

Making jokes about things I do or say is great because it makes me laugh and also provides me with attention (See number two!). Humility is important here too. Men who take themselves too seriously are not attractive.


2)Attention
I'm not gonna lie, I need attention! I know a lot of men who wouldn't put up with me because I'm too 'high maintenance'. That's fine. I'm willing to wait around for someone who wants to shower me in tender loving care. Yes, I am a female chauvinist pig and I believe that I deserve to be treated like a princess by men.

Now, I'm not saying that if I ask for something he should do it for me. Definitely not, in fact the opposite, I hate when guys do what I say. It frustrates me no end, like, stand up for yourself against me! No, I just mean, sending me a text letting me know you're thinking of me. Or saying something cute out of the blue.

3) Intelligence
I need to be intellectually challenged. I don't think I could put up with someone who doesn't read or doesn't enjoy learning. There's nothing worse than a guy who only talks about things on television. If I'm to engage with someone properly than they need to be able hold a conversation on the things I like talking about, like books, emotions, current affairs. I do enjoy a philosophical conversation every now and then too!

I remember once I was in a bar and this one guy tried to chat me up. So he asked what I was studying and I replied 'Science, mainly biology' and he gave me a look like I had three heads, said 'NEXT!' and walked away. What an idiot. I like to think I had a lucky escape there- I doubt conversations with him would have been riveting.

Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love,
Kizzy xx

Boys Boys Boys

Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday

Kristin Scott Thomas and Robert Redford in The Horse Whisperer

Over the past week I have been cultivating my love of Audrey Hepburn and Robert Redford, lots of DVD's have been watched, many of which I had never seen before, but I now know, for a fact, that I want to be a cowboy and move to Montana and raise horses, even though I am slightly afraid of horses, whatever, minor detail. I also now know, that more than one item of denim in an outfit is only acceptable on a cowboy, even then a cowboy that somewhat resembles Rober Redford,and nowhere else, i don't care what Vogue or Topshop says, denim jeans and any other form of denim is a no-no! Definitely so.
Also, sweet potatoe fries in Eddie Rockets are pretty whopper, they are awesome, go on give them a bash.
Happy Easter, over the Easter break, rather than do work, watch Spy Game, Out of Africa, Sneakers, Breakfast at Tiffanys, Roman Holiday and as much West Wing as you can. Or do like me and re-read all the Harry Potter books, in preparation for the forthcoming Harry Potter/Lord of the Rings/ Twilight pub quiz in aid of the BotSoc in October 2010. Put it in your calendars. It will be whopper.

Full Fathom Five...

I really love poetry... Only lucidly written poetry though. It's very rare that I come across poetry that actually affects me, but when it does, it is amazing. There are too many people out there nowadays that call themselves poets. I'd say with 99% of all the poems I have read in my life I have been unimpressed. A good poem when read sounds like music. The mixture of rhythms, alliteration and repetition actually sound like percussion instruments accompanying the lyrics. A good poem evokes emotion. Often if something is happening in my life that confuses me, or I don't know what to do about something, reading a poem with which I can identify can answer questions I have or help me handle the situation better than I would have.

When I was younger I fancied myself as a bit of a poet, I still have a few of them typed up and in a little red folder somewhere in my room. I haven't written anything in a good few months though. Right now the thought of sitting down and writing a poem scares me. I don't know why I grew out of it to be honest, I think it was laziness. It's very hard to write poetry. Originally when I was younger I thought it was easy, just write the first line, find a word that rhymes and then write the second line. As I grew older though, this formula didn't suffice. I started reading adult poetry where there were no rhymes and yet the words sounded like a melody to the ears. This was real poetry, which I find next to impossible to write. Maybe that's why reading a well written poem influences me so much emotionally- Because the skill of writing one is so elusive to me.

Sylvia Plath is my favorite poet, and some of Yeats' work too, although I disagree with some of his political opinions so sometimes I have difficulty reading his poems while remaining unbiased.

Maybe as soon as exams are over I shall begin to write again. There is no better feeling than being able to formulate your thoughts into lines that not only make sense (Most of my thoughts don't make sense!) but also are aurally pleasing. It also helps to organise my mind too.



...




The stars go waltzing out in blue and red;
And arbitrary blackness gallops in:
I shut my eyes and the world drops dead.

I dreamed that you bewitched me into bed
And sung me moon-struck, kissed me quite insane.
(I think I made you up inside my head.)

- From Mad Girl's Love Song by Sylvia Plath



I decided to write this entry after reading the above poem. It pretty much sums up how I'm feeling right now. Men are so confusing...

Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love,
Kizzy xx