Food For Thought

Currently I am:

• Attempting to do an A Level Maths paper (attempting being the key word)
• Writing this Blog post
• Scrolling through my Twitter feed
• Watching the Saccone Joly's latest Daily Vlog 
• In between listening to All Time Low - Therapy on repeat (pretty sure this is the 6th time?)

In other news, my sister threw a spider down my shirt yesterday. Terrifying

I wasn't actually planning on writing today as I have so much school work to do and for me that takes priority over most things at the moment.

I was actually inspired to write this though after I saw a tweet which really got me thinking about a controversial topic in our world today. 

I imagine that the majority of you reading this will have heard of Caspar Lee, but if not he is a South African internet personality who is most famous for his You Tube channel.

I was particularly inspired to write this post as a result of the second part of his tweet.

'borders are man made. We're all from the same place.'

I could not agree more, I am a strong believer that racism, discrimination, homophobia and anything else like that which categorizes people and makes them feel less than they should do is completely wrong. 

Just think about it like this, it doesn't matter whether you are White, Black, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, French, English, American, Chinese. It doesn't matter if you're homosexual or heterosexual. 

Everyone is the same.

Were all humans and why should people be treated differently because of their religion, beliefs, feelings, skin colour, lifestyle etc. 

Going back to Caspar's tweet, borders are man made. In reality they aren't even there, there is no physical line to determine what separates one type of person from another, why should you dislike someone purely because they live in a different country? There is absolutely no need.

I am in no way an expert on any of this and these are my own views. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and there will be people who disagree with me. 

I wanted this blog to be somewhere I could express my personal views and opinions, to physically write about what I am thinking because I find this helps if I have something on my mind. That is why I felt it was necessary to write this post today.

This was a post intended to make people think and express my current thoughts. I am not trying to cause a debate or argument.

Thank you so much for reading and as always comments and suggestions are always welcomed! Until next time, Adios Amigos! 

Beth x

'Liebster Award' ~ Betsy-Loopy-Lou

Hello Everyone,

I have been nominated by my best friend Jess (http://indecisivejess.blogspot.co.uk/) to do the Liebster Award....so here we go.....

1. What would your "perfect" day consist of?

A summers day BBQ/party with close friends. Or in the winter a movie marathon with pizza and chocolate.

2. Who inspires you? Either in general or something more specific (like fashion...)

I'm inspired by a lot of my friends, they're incredible and every single one of them has a different quality about them. I was also inspired by the children I met when I spent 12 days doing charity work in Sierra Leone, Its inspired me to become a better person.

3. What is your favourite genre of music? Some examples?

I think the specific genre is 'Pop-Punk/Rock.' My current favourites: You Me At Six, All Time Low, Royal Blood, Fall Out Boy, Lower Than Atlantis, Don Broco and The Pretty Reckless.

4. What is one of your life ambitions?

To visit as many places in the world as possible and take hundreds of pictures to document it.

5. Have you got any exciting plans for 2015?

I'm going to my first ever festival, also I am hoping to go to University in Brighton which is SUPER exciting!

6. 3 of your 'desert island' essentials?

My laptop (sad but I cannot live without it, it has all my music on, photos and memories), Vaseline and Socks (I love socks)

7. Where is your 'happy place'?

This varies quite a lot: either in the Cathedral my school is attached to, the Rugby Club I've grown up at or my bed!

8. Give your best blogging tip/s!

Write about the things that interest you, don't hold back and if you want to write about something do it! It's your blog and you should express yourself.

9. If you had to have the same breakfast, lunch and dinner for a year what would they be?

I don't really eat breakfast so I would say a fruit smoothie, Lunch probably a Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap and Dinner some form of Pasta with mushrooms in!

10. Best piece of general life advice that you've been given?

I would have to say a lyric from one of my favourite ever songs 'The Phoenix - Fall Out Boy' and that is 'Put On Your Warpaint' take that any way that you want to, but for me I believe its saying that life throws sh*t at you but you've got to stick it out and move on. 

11. What clothing store is your favourite to shop in and why?

Going to be honest here, Primark! I HAVE NO SHAME!!!

I actually really enjoyed answering these questions and writing a post a little different to normal! I'm only going to nominate one blog in particular and that is Leah and Rachel from http://www.beyondthevelvet.blogspot.co.uk/. 

But I am also nominating anyone who reads this blog, I want to know more about all of you!
If you've already done it then please leave me a comment so I can go and see it if not here are my questions...

1. If you could have any superpower what would it be?
2. Any favourite song lyrics or quotes?
3. Do you have a favourite season? If so why?
4. Describe yourself in one word..or two if you're really struggling!
5. Sunrise or Sunset?
6. Recommend anything you're loving at the moment, film, book, music etc.
7. If you could live in any fictional place where would it be? Eg. Neverland, Hogwarts, etc...
8. What's one thing you want to do before you die?
9. Recommend a blog you love...
10. Share one interesting fact about yourself.

Thank you so much for reading and as always comments and suggestions are always welcomed! Until next time, Adios Amigos! 

Beth x

Project 3580 Sierra Leone - One Year On

It feels weird writing this because I feel my life is going way too quickly right now.

April 12th 2014

I wake up at some ungodly hour
I travel to Sierra Leone
With 21 other people, 19 complete stranger

April 12th 2015

I wake up undoubtedly hungover
Having gone out the previous night
With 8 of the 'complete strangers'
Who I now consider to be best friends
To celebrate a year since we met

Slight change really, so yes its been a year since I went to Sierra Leone with Project 3580. (For original post click here - just saying)

Sorry, pardon, what?

Also I am quite frankly crap at expressing thoughts, feeling and just writing in general. So instead I'm going to write a list of thoughts.

• How the F***ing hell has it been a year?
• I have a great group of friends as a result of the trip
• Genuinely I don't think you will ever meet a better group of people
• I don't think I go a day without talking to at least one of them
• When we meet up it is slightly chaotic 
• Its also memorable and hilarious
• It never involves alcohol
• How do you vomit in your own eye?
• If I feel sh** I like to look back over the pictures
• The pictures are very funny
• I wish I saw this group more
• But I suppose because we don't see each other that often it makes everything better when we do see each other
• I know that other friends are jealous of this group
• Aporto = Life

I'm sorry if this post is weird and jumbled and doesn't make sense, I think my brain is incapable of functioning correctly at the moment. DON'T TAKE A-LEVELS KIDS.

Thank you so much for reading and as always comments and suggestions are always welcomed! Until next time, Adios Amigos! 

Beth x

A-Levels Are Messed Up

Right here we go, let the rant begin

What is an A Level (just a little heads up for those of you who might not know)
'The traditional qualifications offered by schools and colleges for 16-19 year olds. They’re highly valued by universities and employers and focus on academic subjects'

What is wrong with the A-Level examination system? Now this is not me exaggerating, it is MESSED UP.

1. It causes way too much stress than is needed
2. It isn't about your knowledge, it's about how you write down your knowledge
3. Most people take 3/4 subjects of their own preference and by the end of the two years you pretty much hate them
4. No matter how much effort you put in, you still end up with pretty average grades

Okay I understand that this may be my opinion and others may have had a different experience, but please let me know if anyone reading this is having the same issues as me!

The idea for this post stemmed from me receiving my latest school report yesterday, I currently take three A-Levels (Maths, Geography and Product Design) and I am preparing for my final exams in May and June. I am in no way complaining about my report, because it was actually really good and I was happy with that, the thing I am complaining about is the fact that all of my subject teachers wrote about how much effort I am putting into the work and how I am dedicated and committed to the subject. Yet here is the messed up part, I am still getting C's and D's.

How does that work?!?

I'm not saying that C's and D's are bad grades, its just that with the amount of work I put into both my lessons and extra work out side of school, It really doesn't make sense.

I took 12 different subjects at GCSE and achieved A's and B's which I worked hard for, yet at A Level I am doing triple the amount of work for Three subjects and I am still at a C grade?

Where is the logic?!?

The second point I made is the one thing that irritates me the most about the world of A-Levels, I find this happens particularly in Geography.  Last year I sat my AS Geography paper and without sounding big headed I was well prepared for the exam, I understood the whole course and was confident with my knowledge. By the time I had received my results in August, it was safe to say I was pretty shocked, I got an E.
Now this would be fine, if I didn't love Geography and want to go and study it at University. I spoke with my teachers and it turns out my knowledge for the exam was fine, it was just how I wrote the answer to the questions they were asking that made my grade lower.

So you're telling me..that even though I know the answer to a question. If I write it in a different way to what you want..the answer is wrong?!?! Makes sense yep

I am slowly but surely starting to lose the will to live with A Levels at the moment, but I know I've only got a few months now until my time at school is over so I've got to persevere with them and get on with it.


Please let me know if anyone else is having the same issues as me!

Thank you so much for reading and as always comments and suggestions are always welcomed! Until next time, Adios Amigos! 

Beth x

Update, I'm sorry!

Considering my last post was mid February and it is now late March, I have come to the conclusion that I am great at regularly posting blogs! I'm joking of course, I can only apologize to those of you who read my blog regularly and for those who don't well you probably wouldn't have even noticed!

So instead of just making up some excuse as to why I haven't posted for a while, I thought I would let you know the truth but instead of writing it, I thought it would be nice to just upload photos of what I have been getting up to in the past month.

I also wanted to do this because something I am doing personally at the moment is trying out new things and saying yes to doing more. I wanted to promote this simple ideology to anyone reading this as by saying yes you're opening up a whole new life for yourself and new opportunities will be formed.

Anyways lets get on with it....

Back in January was my 18th Birthday...

It was eventful to say the least, but an incredible night with friends and family

In February...

I saw my favourite band (You Me At Six) live in Birmingham on their UK tour with All Time Low

I went out on a school night for my friends 18th, where we drank fishbowl cocktails and shamelessly became professional pole-dancers

I spoke at a Conservative Party dinner, about my trip to Sierra Leone. Then went out with friends to celebrate a close friends 18th

I was reunited with the 'Aportos' (the group of friends I met on my Sierra Leone trip) for the first time since September to once again celebrate a friends birthday.

In March...

We surprised my best friend for her 18th birthday by taking her out to a cocktail bar in Birmingham followed by my first night out clubbing

As well as another Monday night out with my close friends and friend who I haven't seen since primary school

At School?

I am in the process of manufacturing my A-Level Product Design piece in which the written side is currently at 30,000 words  and causes my laptop to crash every time I try to use it

I also attended a service in Lichfield Cathedral, which is nothing new for me as I am part of the school which is associated the with the Cathedral. But for this particular service, I briefly met His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester. So basically I met a member of the Royal Family! 

Finally, I accepted my offer to study Geography at the University of Brighton in September, my student finance has been accepted, I have applied for the Halls of Residence and now all I have to do is to sit my A-Level exams and get the grades I have been offered.

What have you been up to recently? Let me know in the comments!

'The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences'

Thank you so much for reading and as always comments and suggestions are always welcomed! Until next time, Adios Amigos! 

Love Beth x

Dry Shampoo ~ Product Review

Hello once again and welcome back,

Quick little post today, with short reviews on recent purchases from the world of dry shampoo. Let me just start off by saying, I cannot live without dry shampoo! Not only do I use it when I really just can't be bothered to wash my hair but I will use it most days just to make my hair smell and look better.

I wanted to review two particular products, one is awesome. The other, well in my opinion...not so great. Before you read on take a guess which you think I prefer and leave a comment below!

Fudge Urban Crisp Pear and Sweet Vanilla Dry Shampoo

Okay, in all honesty I was drawn to this product in Superdrug for three main reasons: firstly, the scent sounds amazing, secondly the packaging is also incredible and thirdy it was on offer the day I was in there. Win Win Win!

I was so excited to try this product out that I tested it out as soon as I got home, the results though. Well. Not so great. (Bet you didn't see that one coming!)

I was so surprised because I had heard great things about this brand and was looking forward to finally trying one of their products, also considering the usual retail price for this is £5.99 (200ml bottle), you would expect it to be of a better quality!

The main reason why I really didn't get on well with this product was that it really made my hair feel disgusting, once I had used it my hair felt like straw and it had lots of powdery residue in it. Luckily I have blonde hair so you couldn't really see any powder, but when I wore a hair bobble and took it out it was covered in the white powder of the dry shampoo.

So for all you dark haired ladies out there, you may want to steer clear of this as it leaves a ton of white powder in your hair, although it still smells incredible!

COLAB Dry Shampoo Tokyo

I'm presuming that many of you reading this will have heard of Ruth Crilly from 'A Model Recommends', well this is her product line which I believe was launched last year maybe? (Don't quote me on that!) 

I had been wanting to try it for ages after hearing such good things about it and well my dreams came true when my lovely best friend Jess (you better go and check out her blog here :) ) bought me a bottle for my birthday.

Okay, no word of a lie. This has taken top spot in my dry shampoo list, it has completely knocked Batiste out of the league and we have a new winner!

Firstly, it smells so so so good and the scent lasts in my hair all day! It also doesn't leave any residue at all, yet still gives me a ton of volume once I have massaged it in a little. Also at the price of £3.50 for a 200ml bottle you seriously cannot go wrong!

I would love to hear of any recommendations or thoughts on these products if you have tried them yourself. Thank you so much for reading! Until next time, Adios Amigos! 

Love Beth x

You Should Never Judge A Book By Its Cover

I'm sure that everyone reading this has heard of the phrase 'Don't judge a book by its cover' which basically means that what you see on the outside doesn't generally reflect what is happening on the inside.

I suppose this is how you could describe me, well with regards to my tastes in music. I have recently (the last year) developed a taste for rock music, it started off with a You Me At Six obsession and has now slowly developed into listening to Metallica and Bring Me The Horizon.

At first my friends were really shocked because I really do not look like the type of person who listens to that type of music, I even ended up talking to this random girl on the train because she was wearing a Bring Me The Horizon top and she was really shocked when I told her I listened to them.

I still dress exactly the same as I used to and nothing has physically changed with my appearance, but I'm sure that when people see me walking down the street with my earphones in, they wouldn't believe I was listening to some (pretty god damn awesome) rock music.

So I just wanted to give anyone reading this a little update on some of my favourite bands right now! 

So obviously as I am new to this genre of music, I really would love to hear of any recommendations you may have! Thank you so much for reading and as always comments and suggestions are always welcomed! Until next time, Adios Amigos! 

Love Beth x