24.12.13

T'was the week before Christmas

Well nothing quite kills the Christmas mood like essays, but now that they are out of the way there is nothing for me to do but to party! I had the most wonderful time last week catching up with old friends, meeting new ones and really enjoying having time to catch up with my nearest and dearest. It makes me wonder why it is often only Christmas that we make this special time for people, why are we not better at finding time for people all year round? 

My week started with an action-packed trip to London with AN and included a wander around the Tate gallery. I have not been to the Tate for years and I loved seeing all the weird and eccentric pieces of art.  The cafe in the Tate is definitely worth a visit because of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow for an excellent view of the river, St Paul's and the London city-scape, I couldn't resist snapping a few photos!





After a spot of culture what better but afternoon tea? Dalston Junction may seem like a small expedition to get to but let me tell you, the Other Cafe is worth every minute stuck on the tube. Walking into the Other Cafe is a little like falling down the rabbit hole and being transported to a crazy-mixed up world where nothing is as it seems and yet everything fits together perfectly. AN an I opted for afternoon tea and we were served a large plate of sandwiches, huge freshly-made scones and three-tiers of cake! Yes, three tiers! I was a very, very happy girl! 


 (Photo taken from the Other Cafe website) 




After walking off all the cake I had consumed I met up with the ever-wonderful JJ to go to the ballet. There is nothing quite like seeing the Nutcracker to get you into the festive mood, the music is so perfect and wonderful and the dancing literally transports you to a magical, exotic world. From the moment the orchestra stuck up their first note I had goosebumps which lasted the whole ballet, I might even have teared up at several parts. Thank you JJ for organising the trip, it really was magical! 






A couple of days later I was back in London again, this time with JT to attend the Albert Hall Christmas Carol Sing-along. It has been almost ten years since I was last at the Albert Hall and in fact the last time I was there I was dancing, so it made a lovely change to just be able to sit back and enjoy the show. From start to finish we sang our little hearts out and it was just incredible to be part of thousands of people singing Christmas carols and filling the hall with noise! A wonderful way to kick Christmas off in style. 





I cannot believe it is Christmas eve already, where has the time gone? I have butterflies of excitement for tomorrow but I am going to try and enjoy the day, filled with preparations, family and festivities!

Mood- well and truly Christmassy! 
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11.12.13

Pre-Christmas festivities!

Finally the time has come to deck the halls, get merry and bright and to rock around the christmas tree! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas, it is the most wonderful time of the year, truly. I have been secretly listening to Christmas music since November, googling scarfs and jumpers since September and researching mince pie recipes for far, far too long. I can now finally share my Christmas joy and excitement with the rest of the world because now is an "accepted" time to do so, until December I have to a member of Christmas anonymous and hide my festive-feelings from everyone for risk of being judged. Despite advent calendars and christmas music the rest of my preparations had been put on hold until this week because of the dreaded D-word.....deadlines! After handing in my final essay (for a few joyous weeks) I practically skipped off to meet Dasher and Rudolf.





No I am not joking, Dasher and Rudolf really did come and visit us, they loved posing for the army of student paparazzi and of course were more than happy to deliver whispered christmas messages to Father Christmas. Let me tell you, there is no better way to get into the festive mood than to spend some time with the reindeer.



Fun fact - Reindeer have velvety ears that are super-soft to stroke, not scary at all!



That evening I decided to invite some friends over for a mince pie or two.....or five and some mulled wine. We had a great time ending the term in style, making paper snowflakes and spreading Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear.













A week or so ago I was cursing my degree, counting the minutes until I could escape uni and the dreaded fun-sucker that is the library. But now, I feel rather sad to leave, especially having to say goodbye to the girls for a whole month!!!



Mood - feeling well and truly "Christmassy



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9.12.13

23 - an update

On my 23rd birthday I posted about 23 things I wanted to accomplish this year and today marks the first quarter of the year! I though it would be good to have a check back and to see how I am doing with my goals. 


23 things to do while im 23!

1) Read 23 books

Read: 
- "This way for gas Ladies and Gentlemen" - Tadeusz Borowski- "The Kill/ La Curee"- Emile Zola - "Into that Darkness" - Gitta Sereny

Currently reading: 
- "The Husband's Secret" - Liane Moriarty

Next up: 
- The Book Thief (again- in preparation for the film) - Sherlock Holmes - The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes 
 
2) Visit 4 new places

- Visited Bath with my favourite girlies, you can read about it here- I was in Morocco for my birthday, but seeing as I was already there I am not counting it as a new place! - Next trip - Singapore

3) Get a haircut that differs from the usual

- Not achieved....yet, although I did try a new hairstyle for the Blitz Ball, maybe that counts? 

4) Get a degree

- Working progress 

5) Do something that scares me

- I thought long and hard about this one and I have come up with two possibilities. As the idea of singing in public completely horrifies me, karaoke could be the way forward, or maybe I could conquer my fear of needles and give blood? 

6) Find a lipstick colour that suits me

- I think I have it sorted, thanks to NT's help, but I will find a picture for the next update!  7) Learn some Spanish

- Again, working progress

8) Learn how to shoot in manual with the camera

- See above, although I have been getting to grips with Istagram which has been a new challenge for me! (Follow me on bethanyscthomas)

9) Host a dinner party

- I have not hosted a dinner party but tomorrow night I am hosting a mince pie and mulled wine christmas party, so maybe that counts? 

10) Watch less trash television

- It is hard to tell but I think I have reduced the time I spend watching rubbish. I could go further with this one though! 

11) Set up a linked in profile and use it!

- This WILL happen soon, I am sure of it 

12) Make a proper Christmas cake

- Plans are in progress for the next few weeks. I have been hindered with a lack of a kitchen at university so as soon as I am back home I will be invading Mama T's kitchen!

13) Finish a knitting project

- Have yet to start let alone finish a knitting project. However, I do have in mind a certain something for a little secret santa present. 

14) Run 5k

- ERM....moving on 

16) Have my first massage

- Sadly no, it's on my Christmas list! 

17) Redesign my blog

- I have not been able to completely re-do my blog, but I have changed some of the colours....crazy I know! I have also added my Instagram feed to my sidebar, I am nothing if not radical! 

18) Wear yellow, at least once

- I feel this jumper is as far as I can go on the yellow front! 



19) Make far too much effort on a dressing up costume

- As yet not achieved, however I did don a cheeky sailor outfit for a recent dance performance, does this count? (Thanks to EB for the photo) 


20) Try a new style of dance (twerking not included)

- Yes yes yes!! I have tried not only hip hop but also belly dance! This is me and JJ before our first every belly dancing class as proof! 



21) Bake homemade bread

- Not yet! 

22) Attend a Ted talk

- Not yet! 

23) See the sunrise

- I feel this should happen at New Year!
 
Mood - Optimistic! 
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4.12.13

A Trip to Twickers

As many of you will know I have a little soft spot for a good game of rugby. My family are very rugby focussed and it could be said that it was a given that I would become involved! I have very vivid memories of cold, rainy sunday mornings spent on the pitch at the local rugby club as a child, so much so that I continued to play all through school. At the age of 17 I became a proud member of a girls rugby team, known officially as "the greatest team in the world." What can I say, it was fate, the beginning of a love affair that I am sure will last a lifetime. 


Proof! (circa 2007)

Last weekend I rekindled a few memories and spent a cold afternoon watching the Barbarians defeat Fiji at Twickenham, the glorious home of English rugby. It was great to see papa T, HT and BF again and to enjoy several hours of tense sporting excitement. 











We cheered, we sang, we danced, some of us drunk, (3 guesses who) and we had an all-round fantastic time. 


Thanks papa T for organising the tickets! 



Mood - Bring on the HK 7's 2014
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