Friday Feeling

It's been a rather quiet week, which was exactly what I needed after the madness of the last weekend. I started working full-time this week, which has been super fun, possibly because my time is really flexible and I so I've still managed to do some fun things. 

Also probably because my new office is next to Bond Street Station, five floors up with a stunning view over Oxford St. I'll try and sneak a picture next week, I was behaving myself as the new girl...! Still, it's scary, and I'm doing things I have no idea how to begin, but I am loving it. 

Highlights of the week include a spontaneous coffee with my bestie, who I bumped into whilst doing a few chores in Westfield. There's an incredible little coffee shop on the ground floor at the back, that does incredible drinks. It's a shame about the location, but makes a change to the ugly Starbucks when you walk through the front doors. 

Love a Latte

Later that evening a friend of mine cooked dinner for me and the rest of the leadership team that head up a Student Connect group at church. We're about 20-30 students that are seeking to know God better and reflect His love in our city. The team I lead with our stunners, inside and out, and with everyone so busy it's been hard to get together. Still, we had some green thai curry, a terrible banoffee pie made by moi (condensed milk DISASTER) and lots of wine. This was our view. 

Regents Canal and Canary Wharf

And now it's Friday. I'm heading to Eastbourne with one of my housemates tonight to meet her family and have a day or so in the countryside. I'm rather excited, and even though it means I'm leaving my beloved London, I have a feeling she'll cope without me (especially with the descending tourists for the bank holiday).

So, I'll update you on my adventures upon my return. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the extra day off!

Much love

Vicki

Rocking the Lobster Look

Oh gosh, it is Friday, and I am sat in front of a computer. I have been for most of the day, and as the Senate House Library database has crashed *panic and sob all at once* I am taking a break from the studying. To the blog I say!

This week has been a little full on, as I've begun working three days a week for an internship. The other days I'm attempting to complete second year Uni things...and maybe have a social life! As if. Fortunately lots of people are in the middle of exam season and aren't off doing too many fun things without me. (Some friends did go see QI being recorded this week which I definitely thought was a great idea!)

One of my favourite things this week has been the sunshine. It's been glorious. For someone that lived her life at the beach, splashing in the sea and soaking up the sun, summer quickly became my favourite time of year. It's been so many long, cold, damp months of winter, but fiiinally, the bright, glorious sun has got his hat on and has come out to play. 

And I got burnt. 

In April. 

I am now rocking the lobster look (stupid vampire skin of mine!)

Anyway, disregarding my current tomato impression, I love the first few weeks of spring because of the change it brings in everyone. The whole of London has been outside, basking in the warmth, getting out the flip flops and donning sunglasses and big smiles. There's something about change that just gets everyone excited. This week it's felt like the whole city is buzzing with expectation, and I love it. 

On Tuesday, I did a ton of shopping. All the things that I've been in need of for ages. Like a mirror...Yes that's right, I've not had a mirror since I moved into my house in September. I think it's a miracle I've not left the house in rainbow colours and pyjamas every day really. I also bought a rug to brighten up my oh-so-white bedroom, and lots of new make up. My favourite thing is my new lipstick, which is called 'Summer Pink' which I felt was rather fitting. It looks kind of like this... 

Tuesday also involved an afternoon of gardening! Apparently, I've inherited the family love of planting things, and had the most domestic, green-fingered day, digging up weeds, turning over the soil and planting new seeds. I am incredibly excited to see things grow. Nature is a bit crazy, and I am still trying to get my head around the idea that some teeny, tiny, dots of brown might grow into beautiful flowers. 

This week I spent rather a lot of time on the Southbank. Thursday in particular, was rather glorious. After finishing work, I headed to meet my lovely friend Suzie and succeeded in distracting her from revision, for the sake of chats and discussions. Hurrah. We decided to wander along the river, getting distracted by the book market that lives outside the BFI and then walking all the way up to St Paul's to get home. I kept crossing bridges, and being blown away by the way the city sprawls so invitingly, defined by its' skyline; the financial district to the East, Westminster (funnily enough) to the West, and all sorts of arts and cultural things right in the middle. St Paul's was looking particularly majestic in the early evening light...

This week has been a week to be thankful, of some great friends and numerous other blessings. No, life isn't easy, but there are moments of outstanding beauty if you know Whose eyes to look through. 

So it may be Friday, and I may be scribbling away on a dissertation proposal (yes that is a year in advance you crazy uni!) but I am also aware that there is much, much to be joyful about.

End of Term

This week has been for all intents and purposes, the final week of my second year of Uni. There's been the usual rush of deadlines, but in some strange freak occurrence, I was finished a week in advance, and aside from proof reading, I am ready and waiting to submit my 7,000 words...Hurrah!

So instead of attempting to scribble words all week, I've been trying to catch up with people and get planning for the month of deadlines that follow the Easter holidays. Oh the joys. I've made the walk to and from campus  on average twice a day, and then tried to fit in coffee dates with people. I make it sound strenuous, but really it's been a week of talking.

Today I had a day of enjoying the delights of East London. I was in Uni early, and then made my way down the road and round the corner to a new cafe. It's called Paper and Cup, and is the second branch of a great social enterprise. They dropped a flyer in our door a couple of months ago, and as it offered free coffee I've been meaning to go for weeks. Today, I finally got around to it.

There's a few social enterprise coffee shops around, and as they combine some of the things I love the most: coffee and social action, I am a big fan. Yet often there is a slightly sad compromise you have to make; not great quality coffee, or slightly tired looking décor. Obviously not huge things in the grand scheme of life. By any stretch. But...it's nice to see Paper and Cup doing well. Both with coffee, with space, and with their general vision and ethos. 

Guilt free caffeine fix, HELLO.

I sat down for a bit of chill time with a favourite book (I've read it at least four times before) and my free coffee. And then I decided not to leave. So I spent the afternoon there, setting up camp with one of their sandwiches and a flapjack. Very good decision, and their prices were good too! Always a bonus!

So I can completely recommend that you take a visit. I can see I will be setting up camp there in a few weeks when I have essays to write. And I'm kind of okay with that. 

One of the other delights about being in East London is the fact that my house/life is based on a road that at one end points East, with the sunrise, and the other heads West, across the City, with the sunset. Tonight the sky was looking particularly impressive, and right as I was walking home via some old east end buildings. I love this part of London. 

Tonight I've got my bake on and am making a three tiered cake for my housemate who just got offered lots of exciting positions. 

Time to celebrate!!

A Small Sketch

If you took the game device and replaced it with my laptop, you have a perfect little cartoon of me right now. It's not that I'm really an introvert, in fact, too much time by myself sends me a little doolally (yes it's a word!) But sometimes, just on the odd occasion, I need time by myself. Normally with some TV (I've just been catching up with The Good Wife and oh how I want to be Alicia Florrick) or perhaps with a book and a cuppa. 

The past couple of weeks have been full of people, and events, and evenings running around icey London. Don't get me wrong, I love those things, and I love being busy and having things to do. Until it gets to the point where I can't hear my own thoughts and have forgotten how to process what I'm doing. A couple of hours of peace is just what I've needed. 

However, a very favourite friend is on her way over from work. We're going to cook up a storm and catch up on the past three days since we last saw each other. I expect there'll be lots to say. 

I like alone time. But only in very small doses, and interrupted with peopley-friend time too. So perhaps it's time to leave the comfort of my duvet and venture out of my bedroom...

Love xo

The Brilliance of Sundays

With a cup of Earl Grey in hand, I'm looking at my day and am just blown away by mercy. My afternoon at church and evening at Vine Sessions was absolutely what I needed after a fairly rubbish morning. 

Today was ChristChurch London's eighth birthday and it was incredible looking at what has gone before, and what the next year will look like. I cannot wait. There were also Krispy Kreme doughnuts as birthday cake. Best. Church. Ever. 

Tonight was also Vine Sessions, a music night that my friend Raz runs. We have similar music taste so I seriously love the people that he has play. Hilary Repko was one of them (she lives near me and is super cool, with a voice like gold.)

The bar was absoluuuutely packed with people, so it was kind of like playing a giant game of sardines. I somehow acquired a tiara amongst the thoughtful thinking and dancing things. Coming home I was warned that I needed to avoid social media or watch Downton Abbey immediately. Little bit heart broken that I did the latter rather than remaining in ignorant bliss. Still, it's reduced my desire to live in the twenties (I would rather have proper medical care thank you very much!)

So on that note, this tired lady is heading to bed. I have a ridiculous amount of reading to do, as well as phone calls to make. Socialising postponed for now.

Laters alligators xxxxx

Fun Facts

1. My day began with Bon Iver, blueberry & banana pancakes, and a group of friends.
   
2. The District Line has utterly failed me this weekend. It meant I was 35 minutes late today.
   
3. St Paul's Cathedral used to be known as Eastminster (because it's the other side of the city to Westminster!)
   
4. There's a statue of Charles I in Trafalgar Square. Every sign in England uses this as it's central point when directing people to London.
   
5. I have become officially ginger.
   
6. My house is freezing cold unless you're wearing fifteen pairs of socks. No, that is not an exaggeration.
   
7. When it's sunny and raining, there's not always a rainbow. Today proved that.
   
8. The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad holds no appeal at half nine on a Saturday night. 

Jesus like Cocktails?!

People get mad at me when I talk about London. Possibly because it happens a lot. But, I feel I'm justified in blabbering about the city so much because everything I say about it, is true! Don't get me wrong, it's not my universe, I mean, it doesn't have beaches to start with (and no the sand banks of the Thames don't count!) and it doesn't have all my friends, or my family, and you can never really see stars. 

Still, as places go, I'm quite a fan. And particularly of East London. Yes, the hipsters run riot, it's like their not-so-secret hideout, but you've got to grant it to them, they know how to make things cool. There's a place called The Breakfast Club. Looks like a bar or restaurant, and yet there's this uber cool little fridge inside. Yeah, you won't have guessed it...but it leads to a cocktail bar. 

To me, that's what East is all about. The surface is one thing, but it gets exciting when you dig a little deeper. 

This week, last night in fact, was the launch of something called Connect. As part of the student work that my church runs, we've just multiplied our mid-week student stuff (mainly because there's too many of us) and so I and my friend Joel are leading the group out East. It's one of those amazing things that's just kind of happened, and last night was full of surprises, and full of grace. 

If East is all about digging deeper, I reckon it shares a lot of parallels with Christianity. Most people assume on the surface that it's kinda boring, not really the place you want to live. And if you talk about it, they think you're a bit nuts. And then you dig deeper, and discover that it's not about the restaurant on the surface, it's all about the secret cocktail bar behind the fridge. Getting to know Jesus is a bit like cocktails. It's this blend of wonderfulness, this constant surprise, and you just keep wanting more. 

All we'll be doing out East is focussed on showing people that there's life in Jesus, and he promises that it's life to the full. And if he promises it, then we want to pursue it, digging through all the surface level stuff to find that epic Mojito hiding just out of sight.

So with all of that in mind, you should come along. We'll be meeting at The Williams pub in Liverpool Street most Wednesdays. It's going to be a good time, and if you're really lucky, I might just buy you a cocktail one of these days. 

Big love! xxx

Tea Cups and Grace

After what has been an absolute mad week, full of illness, visits, dinners, parties and, of course Uni, I was all set to have a bit of a restful weekend. 

Unfortunately I had plans that meant I needed to be the other side of London by 9.30am on Saturday. Doubly unfortunate was the fact I slept through my alarm, to be awoken by the friend I was travelling with, calling me to ask where I was. Needless to say I was late, but said friend was an absolute BABE and came to my house so I wouldn't be late on my own.

Now that's friendship.

It was a great day of training though, and the team I'm doing some things with this year get on so well that it was an absolute joy to spend time planning things, even though it was a tad intense. Still, there was a continuous supply of coffee and pastries, and I came home with a plate of cake, so I definitely shouldn't complain. 

My evening was gloriously chilled. I watched Notting Hill for possibly the hundreth time, and laughed at the naked welsh man just as much as ever. 

Today was another busy one, with things to do, and Church to be at. Still, with so many new people about at the moment it was great to get to meet some of them! The night was finished off with a sweet potato and chick pea curry (an attempt to boost my terrible immune system) and then some Downton Abbey and the first new episode of Homeland. Bit of a contrast, but equally loveable. Downton has the affect of making me 'oooh' and 'ahh' and pine for the twenties. Homeland just has meet falling off the edge of my seat. And possibly flinching in fear. 

The result has left me feeling somewhat alive for the early hours of the morning. Yet I'm in charge of letting the gas man in tomorrow morning and looking after the TV delivery, which means being awake and probably dressed by the time that either of those things is possible. Woops. 

Still, the highlight of all that's gone on, is just the assurance of grace. The past few weeks it's felt as if I've been stacking plates on top of tea cups, higher and higher, and ever more unstable. Too much on my plate. Try too many plates. And yet, life continues, and has yet to crumble or collapse. That is grace. And it's grace that I'm even aware how blessed I am. Days like today, I count my blessings and marvel at where my life is.

Despite fresher's flu, a tower of things to read, and a kitchen that desperately needs a good clean, I'm feeling like life is fairly sweet. 

Icelandic Fairytale

Sometimes, this looks like my absolute idea of heaven.

Catching Up

Whether it's a hangover from being ill earlier this week (and no, I don't mean an alcohol inflicted ill), or perhaps just the volume of things I've agreed to do or am being forced to do with my course, but I have a great desire to curl up into a ball and catch up with a number of things.

Top of this list would be friends. Not all of my favourite people live in London, and that's sad. I desperately need a few hour-long phone calls and skype conversations. Not far down would be reading. My reading load for this year is impossible. In fact, I think I'm going to alternate which module doesn't get a look in. But, that doesn't stop my inner people-pleasing-self desperately trying to cram two huge, hefty novels into two days that are filled with lectures, people, and meetings already...

Also on the list is New Girl. Everyone needs some Schmitt humour to lighten up life, and I'm definitely craving a bit of that right now. I'll also add baking - I've invested in ingredients, but am awaiting more than a spare twenty minutes where I might get to do some actual cooking. This is also true for washing. My lack of clean clothes is going to prove a problem, in about three days. And by that, I mean I might need to leave the house in my onesie.

There's also a concern that I might collapse from rickets, or some other malnutritious-type disease because there are NO vegetables in my house, only carbs, Mainly in the form of frozen bagels. Not even good bagels.

And well, in amongst that list, one could always do with a light nap, some time off, and some real relaxing. I wont be adding those to the to-do list though. Lets keep things reasonable hey?

x

Three Weeks

I've been back in London for three weeks, and without internet for most of them. But, have no fear, the house is back in the land of the living, and speedy internet has allowed me to blog once again. 

Life has seemed more than a little busy recently, with a three day residential training session for the ParliaMentors programme I'm currently on, as well as returning to Uni and getting ready for some big student stuff I'm taking on with church this year. With all of that, as well as getting settled into our house (and being terribly grown up) I've felt a little overwhelmed, as much as I've been excited about being back in the city.

One of the best things, is that I now live only 15 minutes from one of my closest friends from home, and another friend has also moved to London and lives nearby! I believe I'm seeing them tomorrow for some quirky touristy things. 

I started lectures again this week, and have discovered that I'm going to be reading about four books a week. I'm not actually sure this is physically possible, so I'll keep you updated on that front....! I've also rekindled my love for Downton Abbey (I brought the box sets back to Uni when I popped home the other week) and these have been my much needed respite from the madness of life. It does mean however, that I feel I should be swanning about in evening gowns and gloves, getting married to a Lord, and scorning the Americans. I will overlook the fact I am part American in all of this. Still, it makes me much more inclined to speak 'properly', and act like a lady. This is something that doesn't happen very often when you live in a rather chilly student house. 

Anyhow, it's about time for bed. We're having house brunch in the morning (mainly as an excuse to use the plentiful bananas we've been collecting that are in need of cooking) and then I've got to go entertain myself with fun things whilst I still have the excuse my Uni books have yet to be delivered by Amazon.

Ta-ta for now darlings. xxx

Meltdown

With the sun shining, and my to-do list growing longer than my legs, I think I am feeling a tad overwhelmed by all the things I need to get done.

Oh dear.

I return to London on Sunday, and as the past week has been full of sadness, and organising, the uni situation has somewhat taken a back seat. However, Sunday is arriving rather soon and my lack of sorting is making me panic a tad.

However, after lunch today with a friend that's been living in Kenya for the past year and a bit, and a speedy coffee with one of the besties, I feel a tad more normal. Sort of.

PS - A friend made me LYCHEE RUM.

So, with the rum, a few clothes, the arrival of another close friend in London, and the promise of a busy few weeks, I should probably get off the computer.


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Unexpectedly Free

This week I had a rather unexpected amount of time off from work. Working only two days freed me up to do some exciting things. We ventured out to Salisbury on Tuesday and visited the market, and I spent an obscene amount of money on new make up and smart jackets. These things I have termed an 'investment' and therefore justified them. I'm not sure that a silk jacket and primer are essential to life but I refuse to consider these things too deeply.

Wednesday involved more shopping and a very civilised girly lunch in front of huge open windows. We played a hilarious game of 'Pig or Horse'. Choosing the appropriate animal for the face walking past brought new hilarity to people watching. 

Thursday I went on a not-really-but-then-yes-really date. That was amusing. But also a little awkward pyjamas. Hmmmm. 

Friday and Saturday involved drinks with friends, hennaing my hair and causing lots of mess and then celebrating a couple of birthdays. Pizza, cocktails and dancing was the perfect combination, and the sun even  came out to aid our celebrations. There were also animal masks. I'm not sure why, but it was very good. The bar we in had a band that played blues covers and so this required a fair amount of dancing and loud singing. There was also a return of the cocktail in a tea pot. OM.

Here's a few pictures of the last couple of days. I bloomin' love my friends. 

Rabbit, Zebra, Giraffe all went out to dinner.

Chillin' by the River.

Bessies.

Swimming to and from Waterloo

*I began writing this a couple of days ago but needed a break. So, here you go!*

With work every day, and torrential rain, life in Bournemouth has felt pretty slow. Home is great when the sun shines... and not so great when it doesn't, so I've found the past few weeks a tad tough.

It was great then, to be able to get away for a couple of days. I had an interview back in London on Monday, so went up Sunday morning (rather early I might add) to do a few things and catch up with people.

The train pulled into Waterloo, I met some friends that were waiting for me, and we walked along the Southbank, dodging the rain drops and the tourists, until we could take refuge in a cafe for brunch. Brunch is one of those delightful meals. All the joys of breakfast without the early morning, and all the joys of lunch, but with better food. We spent three hours enjoying 'brunch', until I had to head off to meet a friend for coffee about half an hour away. I walked along the river bank, past some of my favourite buildings and across the Millennium bridge. The sun even came out! I had coffee with a friend and caught up on London news, before we headed into church. It was just so good to be back, and it was great to see people again.

Afterwards I met my friend and we headed back to hers for beans on toast, red wine, and the Sunday papers. It was the perfect end to a great day.

Monday was a bit scary pyjamas. With my interview taking several hours, I was definitely in need of coffee and chill time in my favourite coffee shop in Trafalgar Square before seeing an old friend for dinner. Our parents had grown up together and when we were a bit younger we were pretty close, but she lives in the middle of nowhere and we ended up drifting apart. It was hilarious catching up on the last few years and laughing at where we'd come from.

Unfortunately I had to run to get on a train that got me back home before the wee hours of the morning, so our time together was cut short. More unfortunate was the guy I sat adjacent to on the train that turned out to be a bit of madman. I seem to have a nack for finding them. Or attracting them. Whichever.

Said Crazy, was, on appearances rather normal. Except he just watched me read. And drink tea. And listen to music. And then he moved from the window seat to the aisle seat to get a better look. And then he offered me half his KitKat. And then...he woke me from my nap to ask if I needed to get off at Winchester.

Needless to say I didn't...but he took this as ample opportunity to ask me about my life and quiz me on the most ridiculous things. I played up the fact I was a student, which he definitely was not. And then he told me about his apparent triplets that wanted to be vets, tiger tamers and motorbike specialists. I'm not convinced the triplets from his third marriage were real...

I was rather pleased to arrive back home after such adventures, and with a lovely lunch yesterday seeing a friend from London, I feel a little more sane to attempt to continue the rest of the summer.

Apart from I don't think I have a job any longer.. but that's a story for another time!!

Today it continued to rain, so I went to work, returned home and watched Harry Potter and then saw my sister in her school musical. It made me feel very old. But also proud. She's one stupidly talented girl. 

Now for bed. The Olympic torch arrives tomorrow, and I think I'm having breakfast with a few amigos. Should be pleasant!

xxxxxx

Reading and Writing

Late night creative session... well, listening to yummy music and trying to write a presentation for an interview I have. EEK.

I'm not sure how well it's going...it feels sort of bland. I need to spice it up a bit but at this time of night (which appears to be the only free time I ever get these days!) that's not going so well. Hmmm. 

Today I went to a new cafe that was delightfully scrummy. Full of vintage knick-knacks and billions of books, this place was very cute. They didn't have that many tables and chairs though, so my friend and I felt somewhat guilty sat there for a couple of hours. Still, I bought a couple of Margaret Atwood books and a James Baldwin title, so I have plenty to sink my teeth into. And, the Baldwin is for Uni, so I don't need to feel totally guilty either! YES!!

I also went to work today, but definitely spent all of my wages before I started, by buying these exciting things! I feel so stupidly grown up. It's a little scary.

Anyway, time for sleep, or at least to retire to bed with a bit of Wuthering Heights. The English geek is out in full swing today.

Good night cherubs.

xxx

Catching Up

True to form, I've somewhat struggled to blog regularly since coming home. It's been a bit of a blur since coming back, and though I'm still struck every so often for Mile End and the joys of city life, I've got used to being back in the south. 

(After watching the football the other day, which in itself was a bit of a surprise, I caught some of the hackney weekend being aired and all I could see was the beautiful East. I might have squealed and got a tad emotional. Woops.) 

Anyway, tonight is my only evening in for the next two weeks. I've somehow acquired a job, but unfortunately it means working til midnight most of the time. Boo. I fear this could hinder seeing friends, but we shall see! The pennies will certainly be helpful as we've finally booked our summer holiday! to PISA we shall go. Well near enough, it's some sort of villa in the middle of nowhere. I am insanely excited considering it is months away. 

So for some more recent news, I've been to the beach and the forest a fair bit, might've got caught in some some sort of bog a couple of days ago too. Oh and it was the bessie's 21st birthday, so we had a huge BBQ and a lot of pimms. Today I went swimming, and then watched Toy Story 2 which was an absolute treat. I am one of those shocking people that has yet to see the third one, so I was getting prepared. 

I've also begun to learn guitar. Well, I say learn, I've learnt the strings or whatever for about five chords. I was greatly saddened by the need to chop my nails off though, so have yet to proceed. Also, it hurt my hands!

With all of that going on, there's not been much time for blogging so I do apologise. I've just found photos from my last days in London and my return to the coast, so enjoy some cocktail inspired photos, and a few with a nice dose of nature.

Jubilee Celebrations

Afternoon Tea at the Primrose Bakery

Our last night out in Shoreditch

The overflowing car as I packed up my life!

The view from campus to Canary Wharf

The hometown

The lake by Hengistbury Head

Watching the Sunset

A rather disgruntled cow

That's probably enough photo spamming for now! No doubt there'll be a few more over the next few weeks. I am ever so excited about the return of the rest of my friends. They've all become very old and are graduating and such, which is nothing but scary pyjamas. I am uber proud of them though, and think they're the absolute bees knees so I can't wait til we're all reunited!

Enough rambling, I must go to bed. In the meantime, I hope you are all as freaked out as I am that Harry Potter is 15 years old. The fact that I remember it all coming out makes me feel ancient.

You can check out old article clips here at The Guardian!

Love and peace amigos xxxxxxxxxx

Pining Away

A week has passed and I am longing for those busy streets in London that turn your feet black with grime, the noise of the weekend markets, and the transport that allows you travel any time of the night. 

I think that realising I am back at home for more than just a couple of weeks has allowed it to lose some of its sparkle. Also, it's been blowing a gale and raining cats and dogs. Just to use all of the ridiculous sayings imaginable. Anyway, with so little do (I remain unemployed at present) and with few people back from Uni, and my other friends working full time, it's been a rather slow week. In fact, I have been to Nero twice, had dinner at a friends and wandered around town. I've also read all three Hunger Games books. Addictive but unimpressive. And that, quite frankly summarises my accomplishments. Added on top of that the irritations of family life and I am a tad grumpy this Saturday evening. 

So yes, you might have noticed that this is a rather whiney post. I'm going to choose to blame the Hormones. Those noxious chemicals that I'm fairly sure are every girls poison. Talk about having destructive consequences! 

Tonight I've watched an inordinate amount of Gossip Girl and am well on my way to catching up with Season 5. Chuck Bass is more beautiful than ever, and I feel more inspired by hair-dos than I have in a long time. 

On that note, I am going to rest my achey head. Tomorrow is Sunday which means Church. HURRAH. I can't wait.

Sweet dreams, sleep tight! xxx

Your Love is Amazing.

If I searched the heavens, all of creation

Could anything compare?

With what I've discovered filling my vision

I can only stand and stare.

Your love reaches the heavens, fills the sky

Greater than heart or mind can grasp.

Your love is amazing, God

So high, so vast

It reaches even me

Now that You've found me, Lord

My heart is Yours

This is where I want to be.

And though I have tasted what the world offers

It never satisfies

But now I will be what Your love makes me

I'm seeing with new eyes.

Your love reaches the deepest part of me

Defines who I am and what I'll be.

How beautiful, how merciful

How wonderful is Your love.

My Life in Photos

At one point I had hoped to actually write up a few of the adventures I've been on over the past month, but as work, exams and other things piled up, it became impossible. Now, all I want to do is enjoy the sunshine, so you shall have to be satisfied with a few photos to fill you in on my life. Looking back over the past month, and even the past year I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God and the blessings He has given me. I get to live this crazy, exciting, tough, challenging, emotional, joyful life...and well, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

A fancy dressed C party

Watching 8 out of 10 Cats

Birthday's in Covent Garden

And relaxing in Trafalgar Square

Sisterly affection and a bit of cake

Family Time at the Beach

Cocktails for the 21st!

Cocktails that come in teapots!!!

Chillin' in Camden

Enjoying the Lock

The British Museum

Brighton Beach Fun

Bit more Brighton Beach

Floating about the city and enjoying the gardens

Marvelling at the beauties of the sunset over St Paul's

Loving the City

Who says urban life isn't stunning?

Recently

So to say that the past month has been a little crazy would be a new stretch to the term, understatement. It's been insane. Not only because I've written thousands and thousands of words for my degree, or read a billion things, or even that first year has finally come to an end. All of those things have definitely made life hectic. But do you ever have that sense that there are bigger things at work? Or that there's just more going on? I've felt like that for a while.

Imagine you're in the sea (easy for me, the girl from the seaside town) and that the tide's just changed. Suddenly everything beneath you switches direction, becomes a little more unsure, a little less what you were comfortable with. I've suddenly made it to twenty one, half of my closest friends are venturing into the real world as they graduate from university this summer, and well I've been asked to get involved in leading some exciting things with church too. 

Perhaps being in the city it's easier to see how quickly life passes. From the madness of the commuters streaming towards the station (something I tend to avoid at all costs and yet had to submerge myself in on Wednesday for over an hour. Ergh.) to the topsy-turvey weather that we're having that suggests I now live in Miami rather than London, everything just feels as if it's zooming past. 

In this culture of change, I find myself flailing somewhat, just like the swimmer stuck out in the sea as the tide changes. I'm not a fan of change, and much less do I enjoy being the instigator, or the encourager of such, and yet that's where I think I find myself. How bizarre. In all of this, it makes me glad, and ever so happy to know that my life is built on a foundation that will never change, never fail, never falter. 

The promise I get and that has become the rock that everything else is built upon is this: 

'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever' Hebrews 13:8

Tomorrow I'm popping to Brighton for the day with some friends, I'm looking forward to enjoying the sunshine, the sea, and hopefully a little shopping in the lanes. Brighton is beautiful, and I have tons of good memories from my time there so with the bbc telling me tis going to be 25 degrees, it's time to get some beauty sleep then slather myself in the factor 50 suncream I've just purchased.