Wednesday 31 December 2014

My Year - 2014 (review)

23:42
This year has been a strange one.

For the main part I was completely stressed out because of my blooming G.C.S.Es which practically destroyed me since I had to do 28 blooming exams. But so many things really made my year; and truth be told I think it has been my best year in my life ... so far.

I went to see Kerry Ellis and Rory Taylor in RENT, the musical, on Valentines Day. It was a Christmas Present from my parents and I absolutely loved it!!!!

I was cast as the main singing part in our school musical, Grease. No, sadly, I was not Sandy. But at my old school, we had three or four singers that would sing in all the songs. These were the best singers and would create the harmonies as well as teach all the rest of the cast what to sing. And because I had done that before, two years ago, I was given the role of the head one. Which meant I personally decided on all the harmonies and I was the only soprano out of the group too! So that was awesome! Also, since I was a trusted student by the teachers in charge, they asked me to help them choreograph the different routines and stuff which was amazing!!!!!!!

Three days before the dress rehearsal I had the auditions for a performing arts school; something that I thought would only happen in my wildest dreams. Since about 2000 people applied and only 150 people were given an audition spot. I have to say that those two days were probably the best two days in my whole life ... at that point. It was amazing to be able to work alongside such wonderful people who aspired to be in the same industry as I wanted to be in. It was completely amazing.

And then I had the school play and I was able to do the school play. Something that I love every single time I do it; and I'm actually really really sad that I can't take part in it this year! It was so good this year because I got to take part and lead some vocal warm ups too. Ahhhh!!! And don't forget about the fact that I got to perform, something that I love to do!

After that, I found out that I got into the performing arts school, BOA, and I cried and screamed a little bit. I was even allowed to leave school five minutes early because my French teacher knew how nervous I was!

Then, I was in Italy. That trip was so beautiful! I loved every blooming minute of it. It was full of so many interesting and hilarious moments. It was my best mates birthday whilst we were away, and in Italy - for those of you who do not know - you can be served alcohol at the age of 14. This meant that she and my other friend who were in the room drank a few ... dozen bottles. Okay, they only drank two between them and they were fairly small but still it was quite amusing to watch. I don't drink, therefore I did not take part. But out there, I was able to bond with people I wouldn't usually bond with and it was really nice; as well as getting a great help for my exams.

Soon after I competed in a festival and won loads of categories - yay me!! And I was awarded the most promising voice in the whole of the vocal section; in which I was competing against adults!!!!! So yay me!!!!!

After that, there were my exams. Which I have to say were not completely hell on earth. A few of them, mainly my science exams, basically killed me. But the rest were alright. Once I got over the bulk of them in my first blooming week!!!!!!!!!! But, at the end of that first week, I went to see two shows and we found a ferret; who is now my baby boy and I love him to pieces!!!!! I actually enjoyed a few of my exams too, which I know is mad; but I did.

Then came the longest summer ever! Which was beautiful and I had a great leavers day; in which I dressed up as Arwen! And Prom. Well ... it was probably the first big party I've ever been to and I really enjoyed it, No I didn't go on the actually dance floor; but me and my friends danced at the back of the room in this large square we created and it was really really really fun. I felt really pretty that day; naturally pretty you know. And I did love the feeling. And truth be told, since then I have felt like that all the time.

I went to see six shows for my birthday and went to the Making of Harry Potter Studios in London!!!! Which was literally amazing and I loved it so much!!!! Someone take me back please!!!!!!

I then went on holiday with my parents to the Lake District, which - although it did cause me completely agony because I have a bad back - but it was beautiful and I got a lot of reading done too which was awesome!!!!! Oh and I went to see How To Train Your Dragon 2 as well, which killed me!

Little happened the rest of the summer, but I when I went back to school I started at BOA and it has been the most amazing experience of my life ... so far! I love it so much! And no matter how much I complain and moan about how hard it is and how the 20 minutes of ab work a week destroys me; I love it.

Little else has happened this year ... oh other than the fact that I hit 60,000 reads on the first book of my LOTR fanfic on Wattpad!!!!!!! Ekkk!!!!!

Oh, and I went to my first convention and met so many lovely actors! And so many nice cosplayers as well!!!!!

Finally, I went to see the Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies. This destroyed my soul so much ... even though the book is 75 year old and I know what happened but well it still killed me.

And Christmas was great too, so I think that my year has been a great one and I really can't wait to live 2015!!!!

So Happy New Year people! I hope 2015 is great for you all!!!

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
XXXX

New Years Resolutions 2015

21:55
I want to change. Not drastically; only slightly. But I want to change myself for the better. So I have set myself some New Years resolutions that I do actually plan to stick to!!! Yay!!!!! Maybe not New Years resolutions, more like New Year goals. But I actually want to do them. So here you go. 

1. To read more. 
Yes I read a lot as it is, however, I really want to increase my reading over the year dramatically. Therefore, I have made myself a goal. By this time next year I want to have read 30 books. Wooo!!!!!!!

2. Upload more.
I really want to be able to upload loads more on all my sites. I might have to create a time table when to do this for my different websites. But that will most likely be done at a later date. The sites that I want to update frequently are ... well this .... Obviously (who else read that in Allan Rickman's voice?) ... Wattpad and YouTube. So I definitely will try to do that! 

3. Become more organised.
This sort of links to the previous point. I am really really really unorganised. I leave everything to the last minute, which then stresses me out so much! Therefore, I am going to make myself a timetable or something that'll include practice, school work and other stuff; other stuff includes writing, blogging and general performing stuff. 
Oh, this also includes my room. I want things to be tidier because when I get stressed I don't tidy things away and then my room becomes messy and that stresses me out even more. So I'm going to attempt to keep my room tidy all year round. I have tidied my room now so then I start off the new year with a tidy room. Maybe then that'll help me keep my room like that for the whole year. 

4. To practice.
This, sadly, is something that I do not so enough. I barely practice my singing, acting and dance at all; just enough really to help me get by. But I want to do more than that. I want to really excell in my work; to become the best that I can be as a performer. This is mainly because I will be beginning to look for places at University's, meaning that there will be auditions against hundreds of other people ... get my drift? 

5. Build my vocal repertoire. 
Think this is fairly self explainitary. For those of you who don't know, a vocal repertoire is something that consists of loads of songs that can be used for auditions and performances and ... anything else that I'll need it for. 

6. To care more about my looks.
For those who don't know me, they will probably think that that is completely shallow. But in the industry that I want to go into you have to know how to make yourself look attractive. This means that I am going to have to work on different things to do with my hair and make up so that I look fairly attractive! 

7. Be healthier 
This sort of links to my precious one. Basically, I am going to start going to the gym in the morning and eating more balanced, healthier meals. This means eating very few sweet things and fizzy pop and fast food :( 

8. To play the piano again
I used to enjoy playing the piano, until one of my previous teachers made me hate it. However, I know that it will help me jn the long run. So, basically, I am going to teach myself how to play and then that should help with my signing and stuff too. 

9. To become happier and more confident in myself 
Think that is a given really; don't you? 

10. To save up money and get a summer job
Think this makes sense too. Basically I want to buy a load of stuff, but to do that and I need money to do it

Yeah, so they are my New Years Resolutions/goals for 2015. Anything you think I should add to them? Please let me know. 

Happy New Year people!!! 

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER! 
XXX

Tuesday 30 December 2014

Top 14 Books of 2014

22:31
This year I have read so many amazing books but there have definitely been those that have stood out to me and those we follow me on twitter will know how some of these have affected me. Because of that I have decided to do this my top fourteen books of 2014. This is only my opinion and I don't think any of these books are actually new releases for 2014 - sorry if that's what you're looking for :(

14. So book fourteen is ..... The Da Vichi Code by Dan Brown. Just because this book is the last book on my list in now way makes it the worst book. Oh god no! This book was super amazing and it had me hooked from the very beginning. I mean I love this film - who doesn't life a little big oh Tom Hanks. But the book was so much better and Brown's research into everything and his depth of characters .... ugh! It was so good! Okay. A lot of you won't know what this book is about so I will give you a little preview. The Da Vinci Code follows the story of Robert Langdon in his second book - thought I would mention that since I made that mistake myself the first time I picked the book up - in which a man he was going to meet who is the curator of The Louvre is violently murdered and the police think that Langdon had something to do with it. Whilst escaping the police he and the granddaughter of the curator, Sophie Neveu, have to decipher a load of clues and riddles in order to find out everything that is going on. And it all has something to do with the Holy Grail.

I'm sorry it that was a completely awful summery of the book but it's so hard to write anything about it without giving away the plot line. This book was so amazing and if I haven't have read so many other magnificent books this year, I suspect that it would have easily made it into my top 5 at least.

13. The next book in my list was The Shock of the Fall by Nathan Filer. How can I describe this book? Well ... It's a little bit odd. It is written from the point of view of a boy with schizophrenia and this is perfectly shown through the abstractness of the whole book! The writing style is like that of a young child - similar to that of a book that I am studying for A-level English literature which is bloody awful - and it actually works. It uses a lot of thought in it and it clearly shows the characters emotions and thoughts to the reader straight away. Something which I think is so beautiful. 

I can't really summarise this book with out giving everything away; yes, it's one of those books. So I shall write you the blurb. 

'I'll tell you what happened because it will be a good way to introduce my brother. His name's Simon. I think you're going to like him. I really do. Bit in a few pages he'll be dead. And he was never the same after that.' 

What the hell! I mean what the absolute hell! How awesome does that sound. And that, fangirls and fanboys, is why this book is in my top 14 books of this year. It literally took me no time to read because the chapters were minuscule and the character's story was so interesting that I literally couldn't put it down!  

12. Gone by Michael Grant is the next book on my list. Now then, this book was awesome, don't get me wrong but it went a lot further than I expected it to. I know that there are several more books in the series because when I went to buy it in the shop there were about twenty of them all lined up and looking really really beautiful. Well ... maybe not twenty ... but there were a lot of them. So when I read the book I was expecting it to finish long before the timer ran out. Oh ... I haven't mentioned the timer yet have I. Well, basically at the start of each chapter there is a countdown to ... no ... I'm not going to tell you that, you'll have to read the book to find it out. Anyway, I saw the countdown kept going down and that the book wasn't getting near the end anytime soon so I was really really confused. But this book actually really suites this because I don't think the story line would work without it ..... I'm rambling now aren't I ..... sorry .... it's like 2:00 am at the minute and I can't sleep.

A brief summery of this book is that:
One day in a small town in America, suddenly over the age of fifteen disappeared. That sounds pretty awesome when you think about it initially. However, these children soon discover that they are trapped in a dome of sorts and that as soon as you hit your fifteenth birthday, you disappear. As time goes on, things begin to get a bit violent as the resources begin to wane. And people begin to have these powers; these mutant powers. Children, alone and with magic powers. That's really going to work out well for everyone.

This book, I have to be honest with you, I loved it from the very beginning. It is beautifully written and incised me instantly. It is so action packed and I am really excited to discover what happens in the next book .... when I eventually get round to reading it.

11. This next book is something that I suspect would have been part of someone else's top five, at least. However I was not too impressed with it. Don't get me wrong, I did like it, but I really don't see all the hullabaloo about it. If you haven't guessed yet, then I suppose I will tell you what it is. Number eleven on my top fourteen books of 2014 is The Fault In Our Stars by John Green,

For those of you who don't know, the Fault in our Stars is about two teenagers who both have different forms of cancer. Basically they meet at a cancer support group and fall in love.

Think that's the easiest way to describe it to you. And if you don't know what it's about, have you been living under a rock for the past few years?

Okay, I'm going to admit something to you all. I did not cry when I read the book. It did not upset that much. I read it in the middle of my exams, I was super stressed out and just curled up in bed with about three buckets worth of chocolate and read it in about five hours. Maybe it was because I was so stressed out that I didn't get so emotionally attached to the characters; but I just didn't/ It was a good book but I really don't see why everyone loves it so much.

10. City of Bones is a book that I actually began in 2013; however I didn't read it all until this year so it is allowed. It is by Cassandra Clare and puts a whole new spin, for me anyway, on demon hunting books.

Basically it is about a young girl, who's mother disappears, and she learns  that she descends from a lines of warriors who protect our world from demons. She then joins forces with others like her and heads into an alternate, far more dangerous version, of New York City; known as Downworld.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would, and yes it took me a few chapters to get into to it completely. But it did interest me from the very beginning.

9. Although this book took me a while to get into it, I was so glad I read it because it is blooming amazing. Number nine on my list is The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I think that everyone will agree with me when I say this, this book is definitely  nothing like any other book that's out there. Yes, few dystopian books are identical but this is far from anything out there.

If you don't know it is basically about a young boy who wakes up in a lift that takes him to a maze. He has no memory of anything before that. He only knows his name. And in this maze there are other boys; all of whom don't know their past. Since his arrival, nothing in the maze is the same.

Is that a really bad synopsis? I'm rubbish at them!!!! Anyway ... this book is so good, though I did have to start it three or four times to actually get into it; but once I got past the initally difficulty I really enjoyed it.

When I finished the final chapter I was a bit disappointed to be honest; they built the book up and then it just sort of ended. However, when I turned the final page ..... OMG!!!!!!! Pure genius!

8. The Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin is amazing, though very difficult to read and fairly embarrassing when you read it on public transport, especially with the multitude of sex scenes in it, and since a lady one time next to me was reading it over my shoulder. This lady was at least sixty and I think she was getting off of it. Ugh! CRINGE!!!

I can't really give it a plot summery because it is so long winded, however basically it follows the story of different characters that live in this world called Westeros. The book mainly revolves around the Stark family and how Eddard - the father - is asked to become the Hand of the King. And ... well ... basically .... well it all goes to shit!

7. When Rainbows End by Cecelia Ahern or Love Rosie as it is known now is such a beautiful book. It was written in a way that I really doubted I would like - through the exchange of letters, emails, etc between Alex and Rosie. Usually I don't like this style but in this book it was written so beautifully and the characters emotions came through so perfectly that I had to love it! And the ending!!!! Ugh!!!!!

A rough idea of the book is that it follows the story of Rosie and her best friend Alex as they grow up and begin to realise that they are completely and utterly in love with one another. Though different things in life get in their way.

And there is really very little else I can say about this book; it is too beautiful to describe in any number of words. Other than one of course, beautiful.

6. This is the second time that Dan Brown will be on this list and that is because he is such a blooming amazing author. This time, it is with Angels and Demons; this is his first book, though it was the second film which is blooming confusing; don't you think!

This follows the story of Robert Langdon who is called to investigate the symbolical meaning behind a murder of a man who helped create the largest amount of anti-matter. This anti-matter was stolen and placed somewhere inside of Vatican City around the most important time for all the Catholics in the world; conclave after the sudden death of the Pope.

Let me tell you something about Dan Brown's writing. It is pure genius!!!! Literally! He is such an amazing author who really doesn't give anything away until it is absolutely necessary. And then when he does, you are so shocked by it all. He doesn't always end chapters with it either, sometimes he'll just throw it into the middle of a chapter and then you just sit there thinking; what did I just read, wait what???? Meaning then that you have to go back and reread it!

But that huge moment that there is at the end when the main mystery is revealed whether that be a key murder or the riddle is finally solved; you realise that he has been subtly hinting at it through out the whole book. Dan Brown is truly a legend!

5. Uglies by Scott Westerfield is the next book on my list. This book I read most of when I was lying beside one of the lakes in the lake district this summer in this blistering heat; I got a horrid sunburn from it. This book I had no idea if I was going to love it or not; one of my friends had suggest for me to read it about two years ago and I only just got round to it and I have never been so enticed by it.

It is based in a dystopian future in which everyone at the age of sixteen is given extreme plastic surgery in order to look beautiful. Tally Youngblood and her friend, Shay, rebel against this vision and meet people who look just as we do now a days.

Uglies is so beautiful because it expresses the idea that you don't have to conform to society in order to be pretty; that everyone is pretty in their own rights. And that is probably why this book is in my top five. It is shows young girls .... and boys ... that they don't have to be conventionally pretty in order to fall in love. Something which people now a days really don't understand!

4. The Enemy by Charlie Higson is such a blooming amazing book and I wish it could be higher than this but the top three were truly outstanding reads so I really couldn't place this any higher. But it is so amazing!!!

Basically the book takes in London, after a worldwide sickness that has infected adults; either killing them off or turning them into cannibalistic zombies. The children live in the post-apocalyptic world and since their is little food left in their area then they are forced to travel somewhere else. A boy they rescue says that there is a safe heaven in Buckingham palace; but could it be too good to be true.

Although it's a horror - something that I probably read the least of - it is blooming brilliant. And I'm loving apocalyptic books at the minute; so I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

3. This book has the be the one book that I have ever read in my whole life that I can relate to completely since I obviously am one. Number three in my top 14 books of 2014 is Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell. If you haven't read this yet; go an read it now!!!!!! Rainbow Rowell has basically created a book that is completely us. And it is brilliant.

Fangirl follows the story of the story of Cath who goes away to college with her twin sister, Wren, who suddenly decides that she wants her own life. Cath struggles to accept this but goes along with it, having to get a new room mate and live like any ordinary teenager. However, Cath is a fangirl who writes fanfiction on the Simon Snow series and she uses these books as an escape. Her fanfiction is very famous on the internet. As well as learning to balance her writing for pleasure and her writing for school, Cath is flung into a new environment and is forced to create new friends; oh the horror.

I literally had to write that like seven times because I wanted to reveal so much to you that would probably reveal the whole plot line. As you can probably tell by the way I am rambling; I loved this book. It was perfection and Rainbow Rowell really put across the struggles that we, as fangirls and boys, regularly face in everyday life!

I truly cannot wait to buy the rest of her books; this woman is a gift!

2. Procession of the Dead by Darren Shan is a book that was given to me by one of my closest friends for my last birthday. And I literally couldn't put it down. My dear friend was actually absent on my birthday - I don't blame her for that though, it was in the middle of our G.C.S.Es and she didn't have an exam so she had the day off - so she gave it to me the next day. Along with another book that I won't talk about at this moment in time. After the exam of that day, I didn't know it but my dad was taking me and my mum to go and see a musical for our birthdays - her's is the day after mine. He spoiled us by getting us first class virgin tickets - OMG! - and booked a table. For basically the whole trip there, I read the book. I read it when we stopped when we were walking round London. I read it before the show. I read it in the interval. I read it on the train back. This book was amazing! It also helps that I have a certain love for Darren Shan; have done since I picked up one of his books for the first time - something that me and my dear friend constantly bond over.
I've gone off topic now.

Basically, Procession of the Dead follows the story of Capac Raimi who arrives at The City in order to make his mark in the world and follow his uncle; he wanted to become a gangster. And because of this he runs face to face into the Cardinal - the leader of the city. As Capac grows more and more ambitious, he begins to learn what the true cost of ultimate power is.

How awesome does it sound!!!! It is so awesome!!! I love it!!! I really really do!!! Yes. It is insanely rude and graphic but it is just written in a way that is far too beautiful to explain!!!

And that is why Procession of the Dead is the second book on my top fourteen books of 2014.

1. This has been the easiest to place because it was so astounding and I loved every single bit of it. I'm always suggesting this book to people and as soon as you know what it is you will understand!
My top read of 2014 is The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey.

The 5th Waves follows the story of Cassie Sullivan, a sixteen year old girl who is attempting to survive in a world that has been almost completely destroyed by the waves of an alien invasion. Cassie is all alone and knows from experience not to trust anyone; the only thing she wants to do is to save her baby brother Sammy.

This book is brilliant. One of my friends did the review for it before it came out and she said how outstanding it was; and truth be told I didn't believe her. Until I read the blurb. OMG! It intrigued me instantly because of the few lines that are quoted from the book itself.

The 1st wave took out half a million people.
The 2nd wave put that number to shame. 
The 3rd wave lasted longer. Twelve weeks ... four billion dead. 
In the 4th wave, you can't trust that people are still people. 
And the 5th wave?
No one knows. 
But it's coming.  

How blooming epic is that extract!!!! Ugh! This book is so amazingly written and Rick Yancey has this imagination that is on the same scale as Tolkien and Rowling!!!! I can not wait to read the rest of the trilogy. I'm going shopping so might buy the latest book then and pray that it lives up to the mountainous standards that he has created for himself. Rick Yancey, I tip my hat at you sir!!!!

And that, people, is it. That is my top 14 books of 2014. It has been a good reading year for me, and I hope next year will be the same too.
Please let me know if you have read any of these books and if so where you would rank them. Or what book would be your top book of the year. I really need some new read selections so please let me know.
Love you all
-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
XXX

Wednesday 10 December 2014

My disturbing imagination as a child

07:47
Earlier this year I watched Sweeney Todd, the film adaptation of the music with Johnny Depp, Helena Bohnam Carter etc in, for the first time and I loved it, obviously. 

But a few weeks ago I watched it again and I remembered something quite disturbing! 

When I was younger I was in a performing arts class in a small town near me. Bare in mind that I started when I was about 5 and finished when I was about 10. I'd done my 3 show with them - 2 shows twice a year - and we were playing a few improvisation games. Basically we were put into pairs and we had to make up a story that would involve the other people in the room somehow as long as it had something to do with a prop. Truth be told I have no clue what some of the props were, but I remember mine. It was a pair of giant, red scissors ..... I think some of you now where I'm going with this. 

So me and this other girl, you know I've quite forgotten her name, decided that we were going to be crazy hair dressers and we would randomly kill some of our costumers; putting their organs into sandwiches and selling them. 

Now bare in mind that I was like 6 when I did this. 

Next we got a load of the blocks that were scattered around the room and built a podium ... It's weird how clear this is in my mind .... And in the middle of the podium there was a hole that had some landing mats in it. There was a chair on there too. A chair that was just behind the hole. 

I remember performing it and snipping people's heads so that they tumbled into the hole and we were told how creative we were; even though the piece was quite gory. 

I was six and I basically created Sweeney Todd! What the hell!!!!! I'd never heard of it; not the film or the book. So why was it making a play about it. 

I had a disturbing imagination as a child I really did! 

Please don't tell me I'm the only one! Tell me that people have done disturbing things like this too!!! 

Please comment and tell me! 

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER! 

Xxx



Friday 5 December 2014

Deadlines

07:49
Deadlines. 
They are a nightmare. 
Need I say anymore. For those of you who don't know, I am at a performing arts school doing my a-levels and today is my first deadline. I've always heard people saying how stressful deadlines are, but I didn't understand until today. 

I started my coursework like I would start a piece of homework, later than it was set. I was given what ... Three months to do this piece of coursework and I started it near the end of month two!!!!! Opps!!!! And it has stressed me out so much! 

I was up so late finishing some of it off and I still have a little bit more to do when I get to school! And when I wanted to finish it the other day, we ran out of printer paper! 

WHAT EVEN IS LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I basically think that someone somewhere has it out for me! 
My printer took forever to prit everything out last night; usually only printing half of it out! And my dog was constantly trying to sit on my lap because I was obviously sat on the floor because of him and for no other reason what so ever. Now, that was cute. Don't get me wrong. But it just felt bad because he kept giving me those eyes that mean say "do you not love mean?" "If you loved me you'd let me sit on your lap" "why don't you love me"
WHY DO YOU ATTACK ME WITH SO MUCH GUILT???? 

Anyway, eventually I got most of it done and it was nice; that moment of delight to know that all I had to do was annotate a script and that was it!! HURAH!!!! 

And then I remembered something else. I have another deadline that I haven't really been concentrating on because of this unit and that deadline is on the 15th and I've barely started it and now I'm hyperventilating and the lady besides me is looking at me like I'm a freak. Oh, I'm on the train by the way. So that's delightful, isn't it!!!!!!!! 

And this weekend I am performing, teaching and I have a meal to go to!!!! Ugh!  The world hates me! 

Oh and next week is my first assessment week in which I have 8 different things and ugh!! 

Just now realising how many times I write "ugh" ... It's quite a lot! 

So next week, not only will I be preparing for two auditions the week after, but I will be rehearsing everything and be writing the rest of this coursework! 

YAY!!!!!

Basically, what I am trying to say is don't put things off for a while. Do everything as soon as it had been set, especially for deadlines, because else you feel as stressed as I am at this moment in time. 

Basically, the moral of my story is .... Ummm ... Well don't be this ginger! 

I'll see you all soon! 

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
Xx





Thursday 30 October 2014

Stress

18:39
Hi,
My name's Alisha and I am the Queen of Stress - bow down to your queen people!!!!!!!!!!!

No matter what I do, I get stressed; no matter its importance. Which is not good because I either get really ill - one of the only times I do get ill because I have quite a good immune system - or I just curl up a ball and cry loads. It's usually the latter to be honest. I really do cry quite a bit.

The most stressed I've ever been was definitely my G.C.S.Es. I had all my exams in the May/June of 2014 and I have 26 exams all together; so I think you can all imagine my stress. Having to know everything for all 26 exams is hard enough as it is, but by having not learnt everything on the courses by the Easter; you can understand my panic. Also the pressure that my parents, grandparents, teachers and even friends but on me unknowingly made it even harder. I'm fairly intelligent but not that intelligent either. I do like to learn things, don't get me wrong, I mean I'm one of those weird children who loves school and I can never get my nose out of a book; but my brain mainly runs on creative/practical stuff. You know like singing, acting, dancing and writing - duh. So it takes a while for me to learn everything.
So having very intelligent friends who didn't need to revise excessively as I did ... do ... to achieve top grades was even worse.

For me a lot of time at G.C.S.Es was spent curled up in a ball, crying my eyes out and eating about triple my body weight in sweets and other comfort foods like that - genuinely I put on like 2kg in the monthish of exams alone. All that wasn't great for me because it meant that I lost time doing the revision that needed to be done.

And I know I'm probably going to be in a similar state for my a-levels because I'm the idiot who decided to do my pathway and two bloody demanding additionals on top. Oh ... do excuse my french.

But that isn't good - I really don't want to be spending the next two years either being sick or crying all the time thank you very much - so I now follow some rules/guidelines that I thought I should share with you all because stress really isn't your friend.

1 - Start revision early.
I know, this one sounds obvious but literally start revision straight away because  the longer you get to work on something the longer you're going to have to remember it so the more you'll be able to remember by the end of it.

2 - Have a timetable.
This one is a given too and you will be told by loads of people - parents, teachers etc ... But it really does help. Split up your work load into manageable chunks and you will get a lot more work done, trust me.

3 - Get rid of distractions.
So that means one thing and one thing only. GET RID OF YOUR PHONE!!!!!!! Sorry, I had to shout, it was the only way to get my word across. I know that this one is hard, my generation is the one that has a phone permanently attached to their phone. Literally. I expect most were pushed out of their mother's womb/uterus/thing - whatever you want to call it -  with a phone in their hand, screaming as they tried to get their highest score on flappy bird. Well, okay, maybe not but you get what I'm saying - we're obsessed with our phones!!!!!! Anyway, having your phone around is a major distraction and you won't get any work done and trust me when I say that this will seriously stress you out! Also get rid of friends and family too. Work time is work time, no friends allowed. Put your phone on silent and in another room, turn the wifi off so that facebook, twitter or youtube will not become you or call for any distractions. I know some of these things might sound a little but harsh but if you want to do well then do these things; trust me it really helps.

4 - Breaks
This is really important, save some time off to relax. Toilet breaks. Coffee breaks. Whatever. But on these breaks please go out of the room and go and do something. A fresh mind is a clever mind. Just wait until the end of your section to go and have a break; unless you really can't concentrate then I go and spend sometime outside with my adorable ferrets. They always distract me and help me relax a little bit.

5 - Relax
This is probably the  most important thing you are going to read in this post. Relax. At some point we all need to go and relax. Whether that's curling up with the telly or a book or just spending some time doing with me. Whether that's going out with your friends or stuffing your face with Ben and Jerry's. It really doesn't matter. As long as you don't spend every single second of the day revising or working then you'll be fine, because if you do, your brain is likely to explode! Trust me on this, I know, that has almost happened to me on multiple occasions.
Sometimes just stop work and forget about it for the day. Have a pamper session and just relax.
I'm going to do a post soon about my stress relief pamper session, so don't worry. It will help.

By doing some of this stuff, you will feel slightly less stressed compared to before. Just eat a lot of junk/comfort food and you will feel a lot better. I promise.

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
XXX






Tuesday 28 October 2014

Being Ginger

12:02
It's strange living in the UK and being ginger, because we're the only country that dislikes the colour; or seems to anyway. I've been ginger all my life - duh - I haven't ever dyed my hair, I'm not allowed to dye my hair - though I don't want to - but because of my hair colour I've been bullied. Well that and all my other flaws.

That what I don't get, the UK is the one country in the whole world where people who are ginger are shunned. And it makes no sense. Okay, this is probably going to be quite deep for me; you can skip this if you want. You don't have to because I am about to have a huge rant!

The other day I was walking round town and someone shouted at me, this person shouted, "Go back to Ireland" and then chucked an empty bottle at me (thankfully this bottle was plastic and they had a lousy throw so it didn't come anywhere near me). This isn't the first time that this has happened, I've been told to get back to Scotland too. And the annoying thing is that I am not Irish or Scottish. I'M FROM MILTON KEYNES! And as far as I know I haven't got any direct Scottish or Irish relatives/ancestors!!!!!!!

Now, I've learnt to ignore this. But what really annoys me is that a police officer was walking on the other side of the street and he didn't do anything about it. He just ignored us!

So basically he was ignoring a piece of discrimination! That's what it is, this bullying towards ginger people is basically discrimination!!!!! People say that racism and sexism is moving on and that people in the younger generations aren't racist - which is completely true - but more people are homophobic or gingerist.

Why can't people be understanding that we are all unique and that it doesn't matter. Some days I despise being ginger and I want to go and grab the closest batch of hair dye and just get rid of it all; all because of the way that people treat me. And I know that it's not just my hair, it's the fact that I have awful acne, have to wear glasses, have a lisp, and I have a load of puppy fat. But people do mainly concentrate on my hair and that really pisses me - excuse my french.

But that isn't the worst thing about being a ginger, the worst thing is that these people who feel the need to destroy my life because of my hair colour, the people who make fun of it and me every single day suddenly come to school or work or where ever it is with hair that is dyed ginger the next day - or an attempt to be ginger at least. You know the bright red stuff that doesn't suite many people. No offence if any of you have done this but it really does annoy me. I mean you have basically ruined my life for weeks, months, years and then suddenly you contradict everything you're ever said by dying your hair so that - and I quote - 'you look like a fucking retarded carrot'. Once again excuse the french.

People, I have a message for you ..............



GROW UP!!!!!

This is probably how people felt when we treated black people as second class citizens, or woman and if it was a race then people would say that they were being racist or if it was some homosexual people they would be called homophobic. So why don't people complain about gingers being discriminated?????

I doubt it will happen but I would love if we could get a hashtag to trend this on twitter. I have no clue what it would be so ideas people, but if that hashtag could trend then I know that a lot of other gingers would feel ... well ... equal.

So ... yeah ... that's the end of my rant. Therefore that's me done.

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
XXX  

Monday 20 October 2014

Confidence

20:30
Confidence is a strange thing. I've discovered that recently. Last Thursday I had my hair cut and I did something rash. I had my hair cut a lot shorter than normal. I mean really short. Like a long bob short! And something strange happened to be because of that. I feel really confident. Like confident as in the confidence I feel when I'm on stage, like I'm someone else. It was odd. I've never really had the most confidence. I wear glasses, I have awful acne, I'm not skinny at all and I have a lispe. I've been bullied a lot in the past and because of that of I lost most of my confidence. 
But when I had my hair cut, this wave of confidence just sort of attacked me!!! It'd probably because I use ... used ... it as a curtain to hide behind when I wasn't feeling confident at all. But with that gone I have to be more out there. And I really am. 

I think it's mad me realise that I can look good too. I mean it's easier to care for but I because of that I feel prettier and then I have this new confidence in me. One of the people I follow on Twitter told me something that I won't ever forget. 
"The confidence was always there, just sort of hidden."
That is so true! 

Anyway, I want you guys to know something. I want you to know that we can all be confident in ourselves that we can all be that really pretty it handsome person. Just as long as we believe it ourselves. 

Right, that's me done. 
-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!!!
Xxx



Wednesday 8 October 2014

Feeling British

17:18
Lately, I've been feeling really British, like really really really British!!!!!!!!!!! 

The other day my friend got me into tea!!!! Yes people, I admit that I had not had tea before. *shocked gasps* You can't blame me guys, I live in a coffee happy family - how else will they keep themselves alive when they work like 59 million hours a week!!!!!!!!!! I was staying at her house because we were going to a convention the next day. I'd just beaten her at Harry Potter scene it - woop woop! - and we'd gone down stairs to prepare for Doctor Who!!!!!!!!!! She thought she had some hot chocolate, which she didn't have 😫, so she suggested I try tea! I did. It very very very very very very very milky and with millions of sugars but I actually liked it! My parents are really proud of me - not! They are actually quite ashamed. I don't know why though! Coffee is disgusting!!!!!!! No offence to any coffee lovers out there, please don't leave me because I've said this *falls on knees and begs pathetically* 

Any way, because of me liking tea lately I have been feeling really really really British!!!!!! 

And that's what this is about. Feeling British!!!!!!!!! 

All we are good at as English/British, is queuing and making really good tea. Which is soooooo true!!!!!!! I know it's a quote from Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy but it's sooooo true!!!!!!!!!!! When I was in Italy I was queuing for something - can't even remember what now, it was at the airport I think .... yeah it was ..... I think .... oh it was for getting the suitcases onto the plane!!!!!! Well anyway, we were queuing and there were these people around us and they were pushing forward when there were like 15 people who were in front of us, and no offence to people who are like this but it really does annoy me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


Who's British here?????? You know what I mean don't you!!!!!!! 

Right, any way that's me done I think. So yeah, bye. 

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER 
XXXX


The friend zone!!!!

16:55
We've all been there!!!!!!!!!!! We've been completely in love with someone who doesn't really know we exist or does but is completely oblivious to it all!!!!!!! Ugh! Why does this happen!!!!

Today in English I was discussing this. Yes I was instead of doing work! Well I did the work so you can't judge me. We had cover and we had no teach so I did the work really really quickly and then we sat their talking for an hour and a half. Anyway, gone off topic again! Sorry 😥 anyway my friend has been in love with this guy for like 2 and a half years and he likes her too which is amazing! But she's scared they'll ruin their friendship because they are best friends; which is fair enough. 

But then she has to bring me into the conversation, doesn't she! Ugh! Thank you. So I told my story to them. And since I told them my story, I shall tell it to you all now! (Don't judge me!!!!!) 

For the past 6 years I've been in love with this guy. Yes you read that right, 6 years!!!!!!!!! Ugh! My life! Literally I was sat down and he turned to me and said something - can't even remember what it was - and I fell completely in love. I think it was to do with my bag. I had some badges on there. You know how girls who have just come up from primary school will have Barbie things on their bags, nope not this girl. I had Star Wars badges! And he said something about them and I fell completely in love!!!! I'm such an idiot!!!!!! 

Well because I am a fool, I told my best friend who I had known for a few years and was super super super close to her. I think we all know what is going to happen right. Well she was going on a school trip with him to France whilst I was going to Germany on another trip, and she swore that she would tell him that I liked him - to convince him round to me. I thought that she was being lovely and then they got back. And my world crumbled!!!!!! 

I got a text from another friend with a photo of my (ex) best friend and the guy I like under the Eiffel Tower. Her arms were wrapped round his waist and his was round her shoulder. Her head was on his shoulder and they were smiling. A text was attached to the photo, and although I can't remember the exact words , it said something like this ....

"Sorry. Think you should have a better choice in friends. She asked him out under the tower!" 
Betrayal. Utter betrayal. That's how I felt! This girl was supposed to be my best friend and yet she would so easily betray me! That, my dears, is one of the many reasons I don't like females! 

This was at 3 years ago! 

Since then, they were together. They went to prom together and everything! Since then, she has gone down a really really bad path. She gets drunk a lot and is the biggest bitch on the language - excuse my French - and she's gotten in to modelling and she looks about 40. She's only 16!!! 

Well for a while they've been arguing, they were barely talking! And he said to me in drama one day, he was always in my group *sigh*, that he wanted to break up with her because he wasn't happy. I told him to do what his heart wanted - whilst internally screaming with joy - and he thanked me for help and we got back on with our work. And then that was that for a time. They went to prom together, and he looked so handsome whilst she looked quite old really - no I am not being jealous, I swear!!!!!! But less than a week later, he broke up with her because she was being a real bitch - once again, excuse my French. Best day of my life. But we both moved schools so I haven't been able to confess my undying love for him - that sounded really soppy!!!!!! 

Oh yeah, he also knows how I feel too! Because she being a brat decided to tell him that I liked him!!! Ugh! I really do hate this girl, can't believe we were best friends for so long!!!!! He apologised!!!! He said he was so sorry and that he hoped we could still be friends. I thought that was really sweet!!! 

On that day, the day when he told me that he wanted to break up with her. He asked me if I still liked him, in front of the few other people in our grouped. And I admitted that I did *embarrassed* and then he went straight back to work!!!! 

Anyway, in English the other day we were talking about all this and they have convinced me to talk to him again. He's a huge fanboy too so I'm talking to him about Walking Dead that restarts on Sunday!!!! AHHH!!!!!! 

So I think I might actually get out of the horrors of being in the friend zone. Praise the Lord!!!! 

Anyone else been in love with the same person for infinite years????? Just me?? Okay 😔

Bye 
-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER 
Xxx




Monday 6 October 2014

Being late

21:42
Today started off really well .... not!!!!! I woke up late. And by late I don't mean 10 minutes late, I mean 2 hours and 10 minutes late! All I literally had time to do was get up, throw my clothes on, chuck my hair up in a pony tail and run out the door. And I couldn't find my lanyard and train pass. At my school, if you don't have your lanyard you can't get into the school. It's a school in the middle of the city so they kick you out! Oh, and I couldn't find my glasses either!!!!!!! So I spent most of my time doing that! It was blooming typical.

Oh and I missed my train! But my mate is completely amazing. She get's on at a different station and saves a seat for me everyday. But today she got off the train and waited for me. How amazing is she!!!!!!! God I love her! She waited for me and we got the train that didn't reach New Street on time so we had to sprint to school. She risked being late for me! God she's awesome!

But do you know what's typical. Why is it that when you're running late everything seems to go wrong!!! It's like the world is desperately trying to stop you from doing anything!

And it was raining too!!! What is up with that! When I say raining I mean like chucking it down, raining cats and dogs, the sky has literally pulled apart! Ugh! We ran to school, which is 15 minutes away from the station, and we got soaking wet! I'm still cold now and I think I have a cold coming on because of it which is blooming brilliant! My jacket was soaked practically all day!!! It was so annoying!!!!!!!!!!!

How often does this happen though, the one time you're late, everything seems to happen that will attempt to destroy the world. It's so annoying! I hate being late, I really do! It stresses me out so much and I find it really hard to calm myself down. Good thing I have good friends by my side who help me out; even though I have known them for like under 2 weeks! Friendship grows so quickly.

Has this happened to you? Please tell me that I'm not the only who's had this happen!!!!!!

- IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
xxx

Sunday 5 October 2014

Autumn

22:33
I really do think that my favorite season of the year is autumn. Who wouldn't love it.

Winter is alright and all but it is too cold for my liking. Don't get me wrong, I love to look out of my window and stare at the untouched snow in the garden or crunch on the freshly sown snow. But I hate being cold all the time.

Summer is spectacular. It's when we get the most time off and the skies are so blue. But I'm British and I'm used to summers of rain, with skies full of clouds and puddles on the floor at all times. Which are fun to jump into with my wellies on. But when we do get a nice summer, it's so hot and I can't get comfortable. It's really not right that's socially unacceptable to walk around in a swimming costume at all times, unless you have the body of a super model. People I want to be cool, not practical. The heat and this ginger really don't get on.

Spring is nice, I suppose with all the baby animals running about and the new flowers springing up here and there. But it's still too cold. And then there's the late snow drifts that fall on us at random moments; yes we get some time off school but really, is it worth the effort?

But Autumn is so beautiful. It's not so cold that I'm constantly complaining, but it's cold enough for me to bring out my Doc Martin's and my jumpers. Heat still lingers from the summer months, yet it is acceptable for us to drink hot chocolates in our little travel mugs or buy a starbucks on the way to school. Yes the nights begin to draw in and the first of Jack Frost's spindly fingers begins to creak across the land, but the leaves turn such beautiful colours. Different reds, golds and oranges. In time these fall to the floor, seeming to glide on the air as they do, landing at my feet. And it's still acceptable for me to jump among the piles, to kicking the colours up so that they fly around me; covering me in rainbow like showers. I'm allowed to curl up by the wind, hot chocolate or a mug of tea beside me, dressed in a onesie with a blanket wrapped around my waist and a new book in hand. The nights turn dark by six or seven but it's the season of ghost and demons; the faint witch's cackle playing on the wind somewhere in the distance. Favourite childhood films come on again on the tv, filling you with this warm glow that only the tiny threads of your child hood can do to you. The occassional rainy weekend day means that we can do nothing except curling up and listening to the gentle hammering of water that pounds lightly against my windows.
The heating clicks on in the night, warming my room so that the blankets aren't curl around me so tightly, and our summer shorts and skirts hide away. For girls the joyful knowledge that our legs can be hidden till spring comes to mind, as we skip our weekly leg shave, and enjoy the final few minutes under the blissful heat of the water.
Comfort food is back in season, long gone as the cold salads and barbecues of the summer. Heat is needed and what better why to give us that than burgers, chips and long awaited roast dinners.
Figure hiding clothes, jumpers, leggings, scarfs, are brought out from the back of the wardrobe and dusted with their mothballs.
Scented candles of cinnamon and sweet spice waft through the rooms, reminding us that soon Christmas will be on it's way. That soon the chill of winter will hit. But not so soon that the panic of shopping and present fills our heads.
In the back of our minds, winter lingers. It reminds us that soon it will be on it's way. Ending our year with its cold chill. But not quite yet. Allow the final heat of the year to fill us before we forget it completely for the next few months. Enjoy the glamour whilst it lasts. For soon the rainbows of orange, red and gold will fade, replaced by only green and white. Soon the snows will settle and fires will light our hearths. But not so soon.

Most forget the glorious season we are in. Thinking only momentarily about it's beauty as they beckon winter on with it's Christmas and New Years Day. Remember Autumn, dear ones. For soon it will be gone. Remember it well and witness for the season has just begun!

-IAMAGEEKINGGINGER!
xxx  

Welcome!

20:35
Hi Guys,

I'm IAMAGEEKINGGINGER, although I also use the name Alisha in my normal life, and this is my blog - duh, of course it's your blog Alisha, why else would you be reading this?
This is basically just a welcome post to say .... well ... welcome! So

 Welcome!!!!
wElcome!!!!
weLcome!!!!
welCome!!!!
welcOme!!!!
welcoMe!!!!
welcomeE!!!!
welcome!!!!

Sorry. That was a bit random. Wasn't it. Well, that's me! I am extremely random!!!! Which I am sure you will all eventually learn about me. :)

Anyway, back to the topic of this post. I thought I would do a little introduction to you all about myself and what this whole blog thing of mine will eventually be about. To start, I will do a 24 facts about me thing, as I have seen some completely amazing youtubers do on their channels so what's better than that to get to know me :)

1. My name's Alisha - as I mentioned earlier
2. I am 16 years old - at this present time anyway
3. I am British
4. I am a girl
5. I live near the 2nd largest city in the UK - something that I didn't actually realise until, like, two or three years ago which is completely stupid
6. And I live in the ancient capital of England known as Mercia.
7. I was born in Milton Keynes, which is really near to London.
8. I'm currently in year 12 studying Musical Theatre, English Literature and Geography.
9. I want to be part of the theatre world when I grow up, I want to be in musicals and plays and perform every night. I want to have hundreds and hundreds of musical and play scripts in my head so that I can just randomly quote them at certain points to the people around me.
10. I am a completely obsessed fangirl. I freak out over random things at different parts of the day. Some of my major fandoms are:
Harry Potter,
Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit,
Doctor Who,
Walking Dead,
Marvel,
Disney
11. I am so excited for the next season of Walking Dead!!!!!!!! Ahh!!! If they kill off my babies I shall go on a killing spree.
12. I am actually quite shy and I find it really hard to make friends, probably because I have been dropped so many times. So if I ever do meet any of you at any point in real life, I'm terribly sorry about how shy I will be.
13. I love to read, I tend to read at least 2 books a week. But I'm currently reading Clash of Kings and I've been reading it for over two weeks and I'm only like half way through!!!! Ugh! It is a 900 + paged book but still!!!!
14. If I can't be a performer on the stage, I don't make it like Tim Minchin - which is completely mad because he is a ruddy amazing singer - then I want to write since writing is another of my passions. I'm really not making life easy for myself am I?
15. Currently I only really write fanfiction, which I love, but I want to start writing some original works too - one I'm in the middle of writing at the minute. You can find me on wattpad if you want. I'm PotterheadElleth.
16. On the 28th of September (last sunday) I met Chris Rankin - Percy Weasley from Harry Potter - Colin Baker - 6th Doctor - James Cosmo - Mormont from GoT and Father Christmas from Narnia - Paul Blake - Greedo from Star Wars - and Terry Molloy - Davros from Doctor Who - at Stoke Con Trent.
17. My all time idol ever is Lea Salonga who originated Kim in Miss Saigon as well as being the singing voices for Jasmine and Mulan - the Disney Princesses.
18. Miss Saigon is one of my favorite musicals of all times!!!!!!!! And not just because Lea was in it either. It makes me cry so much! It is so good! I saw it live for my birthday this year - it's reviving in london at the minute - and I literally spent the whole of the show balling my eyes out!!!!!!
19. Narcus is my OTP from real life and Caskett is my tv OTP!!!!!
20. I am ginger - if you hadn't had guessed from my name.
21. I am in love with many celebs. The main ones are Tom Hiddleston, Orlando Bloom and Aidan Turner.
22. I've had over 100 pets
23. I really want to learn Sindarin - the language of the Elves of Middle Earth. I know a little bit but not a lot.
24. I really want to become a vlogger, I have a youtube channel and everything but I don't know how to edit anything so I can't really do it!

And that's my 24 facts about me!!!!!

Now,
I'm going to use this to talk about loads of things really. Things that I'm passionate about. Things that happen in my life. If I finish reading a really really good book I might do a review on here, or if I love a film/tv show. Or it might just be a random thought that comes to my head. An extract from something I'm writing. Or maybe a bit of poetry I might have tried to write. I'm not really sure to be honest. But hey ho, that is what this is going to be about.

I hope you like it :)

Love you all
- IAMAGEEKINGGINGER
xxx