I thought it'd be a good summer, I was hoping the weather was nicer than the others, and that days would go on forever. But with only 2 days until I start up at Northbrook, looking back I can't believe how horribly quick it has all gone. Now, apart from that, there is nothing wrong at all, this summer has been the best, easily. I don't think there has been a single day where i've just stayed at home.

Reading was probably one of the best weekends, like, ever, so much happened. The bands were amazing, seeing Late of the Pier was probably the highlight of my weekend, as everyone in the tent was a fan so the atmosphere was brilliant. Yet they were followed by Rage Against the Machine on the Main Stage who were absolutely electric. Walking back from Rage, Craig and I bumped into a few people from our camp who were off to 'Smash and Grab'...a small club night held in one of the tents. Absolutely exhausted, I followed and the evening just got funnier. I've been told recently that 'Smash and Grab takes place in London so I think we're tripping up there soon :D

I really don't know how we managed to find space in our tent, but Craig and I seemed to get a pretty comfortable sleep most nights, even though some were rather wet due to the vents on the side of the tent.
As soon as it had started, it was over and we were on the train home. I want to go again so much next year, and generally cannot wait.

In two days I start a course at Northbrook which I intend to work mainly on photography, so I've had to complete a summer project, which to be honest has been slightly rushed, and mainly full of drawings instead of photography. Starting this place is rather nerve racking as I don't know of anyone going to Northbrook yet, but at the same time I can't wait to meet new people.

Anywho, last one, started these about a year ago so might as well finish now, dang what as good year it's been.

Don't you just hate it when you do something really stupid right before you go to bed?
This evening I drank some lemonade before I went to bed, yeah great idea, because that has caffeine in it so now I feel as wide awake as 3pm on a friday afternoon mid-summer, with a BBQ, along the beach. Now that's what I imagine summer to be like, and just thinking about it all I really cannot wait anymore!
Easter is just round the corner...well the holidays are at least, and the weathers finally starting to take a turn on the brighter side which is rather nice :) The best stuff really does happen when the sun is shining!

Over the past few weeks i've done a few bits and bobs, the thing that stands out the most would have to be finally getting a job! Biggin' up the somerfield massive?? No not at all, but I do like working there, much more variety compared to that of tesco. Seeing Old Man Joe at the start of my saturday and sunday shifts does make me laugh, and it's so much more easy going...the pay is better too :D
I still have to scream 'alcohol' from time to time, but not for much longer, as in like...6 days I turn 18...it's a horribly worrying thought, but i'm terribly excited all the same!
My ID came through this morning actually, which was a pleasant surprise...I was sure I would be made to send it again as Judith (my form tutor) wrote on the sheet in blue ink, yet at the top it says "write in black ballpoint pen"...
"It looks like a mugshot" was the general acceptance of what other people said about it.
But alas, it will come in handy ever so much, I might even consider learning at some point!

In other news, this evening was rather eventful, even though I stayed in...basically Reading tickets went on sale so there was a mad rush to get them. Set to go on sale at 6:45, I was "f5ing" it up from 6:40 onwards. At 6:43 the tickets went on sale.
I hate doing something in a rush, I always worry about getting something really important wrong, and this case was no excuse, especially with typing in credit card details!
Yet, the nerves and "f5ing" payed off and I managed to grab myself a ticket.
What made it even better was I found out howie was going, which came as an utter shock to me as earlier today he said he wasn't, but his birthday is on the first day of the festival so everyone would be a Reading! It should be fun :)

Ah this years turning out to be a good'n :)

Geography coursework is what I should be doing, but I really cannot be bothered to do it at the moment...so i've decided to just write away, because I am in a horribly cheerful mood at the moment.

My music taste is still changing quite a bit, a few weeks back I went on a marathon hellogoodbye listening session. Seriousssssly I love them, whatever Lee-roy says, nerds with guitars is most definitely up there in my favorite taste...so imagine my surprise when 'Here in your arms' showed up on Holly's Party Playlist last night - I was truely in my element with that. Actually I think 'Superstar by Lupe Fiasco' came on at some point last night, which added to much more dancing from my behalf, dang I really really do love that song, maybe my song of the year...and it's only March! Still...if you are what you say you are, a superstar...

So at the moment my hairs starting to get rather...out of control you could say, no way near as bad as it was back in the days of 2005...when it was named 'The Hersh Hair'...still rather uncontrollable though, and now with these gingery blondie bits at the front, it's just starting to look silly. But heck it makes me laugh, telling people when they ask if I have dyed my hair...but replying with 'Nah, it was the Clearasil'

Currently going through a birthday list for a meal at the moment and it's made me realize how quickly my 18th is coming round, I can't actually wait for it.
On the way back from town today I hopped into a photo booth thing for my driving license...of course I took advantage of all 3 chances for the photo to be taken, as I messed up the other two...in one of them I managed to raise my eyebrow without realizing...but yeah the provisional will come in handy, not only as ID, but also I can now start learning to drive, might do that at some point over Summer.

So last night was Holly's 18th Birthday Party, which was actually a brilliant laugh, and after time most of us were out there dancing. 'Jitterbug by Wham' came on at one point, thus leading to the perfect opportunity to click away, which was followed by the YMCA, which I was informed, to my shock, by Holly's mum that she had filmed the whole dance...

Pinch, punch, first of the month, no returns.
Christmas still feels like, a few weeks back, but no, it's now March and the year is starting to get into full swing, so much is coming up.
February had it's ups and downs, but was such a nice relief from January!
There so many lovely and funny times...Bec's 18th birthday at her house, Art Brut, college party, helping Holly with house sitting, birthday meals, Mia's party, and just general days and evenings out have all been so nice!

Over Half Term I started to notice that my hair was starting to get a bit lighter, and I thought this was mainly due to the sun showing up a bit more, but over time it seemed to stay at the front of my hair...so after a while I went searching for answers and found that Clearasil has some sort of bleach in it.
Keep away from hair and eyebrows as bleaching may occur
How on earth did it end up in my hair!
My parents seem to think it has a sort of ginger tint to it...

Half term ended with worries that carried on into the following week for a bit, but after talking it out I felt so much better :)

The week back started with Media...talking about Media, Jack, Maz and I chose the most obscure thing ever for our final ever project...a musical; so on Monday we took in our instruments to try and put music to the lyrics we had already written, no luck came of this though, so I think we're gonna have to change some of the songs, and write the lyrics last instead.

Tuesday was a quiet day, I had photography bang in the middle of the day which always seems to just drag on more and more. After college was over we went back to the house Holly was looking after and started to watch Bridget Jones 2, the edge of reason. It being Tuesday, we left Bec's and Holly to their tea so they could talk and I headed back to college with Riley until he had work. We sat in one of the practice rooms just messing about on the piano, and after about 10 minutes I heard another Piano coming from the drama studio.
It was like something out of a movie, there was a cleaner hoovering the studio, and in the corner of the room there was a piano which was being played...I had never heard anyone play so beautifully in my entire life! I could of listened for hours.

Building work started on Wednesday, and by the time I was home at around midday, one of the walls had already been knocked down...I cannot believe how fast they are working! Whilst at college I got a surprise phone call from the Bakery asking if I would like an interview the following day. I was in shock, I had handed in my application form about 2 weeks before, and after hearing nothing I thought I just hadn't got it. So the next day I took first lesson off and headed down to the Bakery at 11 where it took place.
After it was over they said they would let me know after the weekend as more interviews were to take place.
I was going to take the whole day off, but as I was up so early the day was beginning to drag so I headed in for Photography.

At the end of the day we headed back to 'the mansion' where we were meant to be cleaning up...it was such a funny afternoon!
Bec's, Holly, Olly and I got half way through probably the longest quiz ever!! Which some how managed to get deleted after getting about 1/3 of the way through over 45 minutes!! We tried to complete it again, and half way through Holly got a really nice text, it was really nice to see her so happy!

Friday came and went really quickly, Geography was the same as usual...I wasn't taking anything in, the clock wasn't moving, and Antony's voice was sending me to sleep.
After the lesson finished we all went our separate ways and on the way home I decided to pop in and see Bec's. We chatted for a bit and read postsecret. That website is actually really nice, I could just sit there for hours on end and just flick through them.

I didn't do much else for the rest of the day...a quiet Friday evening listening to music and smiling away :)

But since you said goodbye
polka dots fill my eyes
and I don't know why

Never has such a song with so little meaning meant so much to me and felt so relevant.

But, looking at it, it does make a lot of sense and is quite lovely :)

I got to the station just before 9:30 to get my ticket and catch the 9:36 train, on which I met Dave. It sounds silly, but I love traveling places by train, you can just talk about whatever you want whilst the world outside rushes by.
Upon arrival at London Victoria I could already tell it was going to be a funny day, as Dave had trouble with the ticket machine...why? Because he kept on putting through the return ticket instead of the out ticket haha
We took a slight de-tour, in which we went upstairs in the station. I had never been to this part of the station before, it was just like a little shopping centre.
We bought some croissants, which were still warm and had 'brunch' as we headed towards the ticket machine for Dave's underground ticket. The ques were horrendous, so I headed off to go grab a drink whilst he payed for his ticket.
Just walking through London whilst everyone bustles past you is great, with my iPod in, it just brings all your senses alive - I love it!
I got back to Dave who was now out of the que, without a ticket though because the one we were queuing up for was for Credit Cards only, but we noticed a quieter one just round to corner.
He payed for his ticket and much to his annoyance (and my amusement) the machine gave him £15 in £1 coins as change.

First stop. Oxford street.
We got off the underground, and entered the bustling streets, heading straight down one of the roads off of the station. We just kept on walking, stopping only to go in the Apple store. Dang the new iPods and headphones are nice.
We ending up in Piccadilly Circus.
As we were here we decided to visit 'Zavii' or whatever that new music shop is now called...and my ditsy moment for the day came in.
We walked straight towards to the traffic lights, wondering where it was
Me: Where's the music shop gone?
Dave: It's behind you
Me: Oh what.
Just like a panto.

Anyway, we headed in and bought some music; Dave bought Britney Spears...nuff said.
After walking around the shop for a bit we decided to go get lunch, so we headed back up towards Oxford Street. We found 'Carnaby Street' and which was home to some lovely little shops including the 'Converse Shop' which I gleamed at as soon as I saw it. So many different designs in one place! They even clothing...but I wasn't willing to pay £99 for a plain grey zipped hoodie!!

We continued our search for lunch, and on the way we were stopped by a woman who handed me a small flower
Your love life will be fine, spare a penny?
I never know what to do when random people just come up to you in the street so when this happened I just froze in the middle of a busy street.
Dave found this hilarious, I looked to him, then the old woman, handed her back the flower and walked away quite displaced, to laugh it off with Dave about 30 seconds later.

After much choice and price checking, we went to 'Cafe Fred' where we both had this really nice sandwich and Dave also had the 'most pure orange juice, like, ever'
We walked up Oxford street once again, walking in such shops as HMV, River Island, Office and Calvin Klein, which have the most expensive jeans I have ever seen!!
We found ourselves getting tired as the day went on, so we made our way to Hyde Park. Never, ever would I have felt so relaxed! It was so lovely, and I can imagine it in Summer. To think there was such peace in a busy city was amazing.
After about nearly 2 hours in hyde park we made our way back to Piccadilly Circus for one more quick shopping trip.

The underground was packed on the way back to Victoria, luckily we only had 2 stops so it wasn't too hectic.

There was a train leaving at 17:17, which was about 10 minutes away, or one at 17:47 and the day was still lacking a trip to McDonalds.
We're not going to McDonalds was said on the way there, I was fine with that, but after choosing the later train to get, and no-where to go in the station, there really was no choice...
I got the new McFlurry which was lacking in Flurry and Dave headed next door to KFC where he asked for their cheapest burger and cheapest drink.

It really was a great way to start a weekend

I set my alarm for 9:45 this morning, just as a last resort if I didn't get up - and to my surprise I woke to that alarm! I felt so awake when I woke up it was rather nice. Sadly, as this was my last resort of an alarm, my morning routine was thrown out of pattern and I had to ride my bike to college due to lateness. I really don't mind riding my bike, but when it comes to windy days I really do hate it, as you pedal so hard and seem to get no-where!!

Also my 'road safety' on a bike probably isn't the best, as I found out today after turning round to wave at maz, I started to turn into the middle of the road where a car was heading the other way. *Swerve*
Same on the way home, some old woman and her dog just appeared out of no-where. *swerve*

I think I might just stick to early mornings and walking.

In geography we all had to choose our question for Coursework...to start I chose to do something about Poverty.
"Lets all do the same question and see who gets the most marks kekeke"
No, lets not - so now I have something about medicine on a world scale or something...Geography??
I'll just have to route through my old History notes from school about 'Medicine through Time', dang that was a bloody boring subject.

History was the most boring lesson at school. Go in, sit down read through a text book and make notes, get set a couple of questions and leave. I sat next to Alex Hoang, still one of the funniest people i've ever met and Kyle something or other, who thought he was gods gift to women. Every lesson he would go round and get the girl he sat next to to rate everyone in the classroom. Great.

Horrible History probably got me interested in the subject I guess, as the books were quite amusing...for those 13 and under.
"I wanna be an Archaeologist"
Um, no not anymore...but that makes me think about what I really wanted to be when I was younger, starting off as a Train Driver (down to Thomas the Tank Engine), to Archaeologist, to Meteorologist, to something in Media and Advertising, and now to anything in Music.
It's changed quite a lot over time and I still don't know greatly what I want to do. I would love to be able to have a life spent working with Music, so over my year out of college I guess i'll try and get into that.
"a year to chase a dream"
Where the hell am I meant to start with that though?

I even went to go look at taking History at A level for some reason, where I met Alex Bristow for the first time.
"You get about an essay a week"
That was way out of the picture now so I decided to take Media Production, Photography, ICT and Geography.

Media was probably one of the funniest lessons I had in my first year, as we didn't really do much work and I got to know some people from school better which was really really nice.

Photography is something i'm only really starting to get the hang of, as through my second year i've found my favorite type of photographic techniques. It's the only lesson where I don't really know anyone in my class which I don't really enjoy about it, but I guess it means I can get some work done...

I dropped ICT last year because it was no longer an interest of mine, but I did meet some really nice people in the lesson, which seemed to be the only reason why half us actually turned up!

Finally, Geography is still the lesson i'm most thankful of taking. At school I was alright at it, but now i've joined E Club in the lesson, and if I was to go back and think about taking the lesson again I wouldn't change a thing. The people I met in that one class were actually brilliant, and i've spent practically the last 6 months...probably more...with them, and have enjoyed those months extremely.

Not only those lessons though, but college really has been so much fun and all the people I met there have made my time spent there the happiest.

I woke up yesterday and it really did hit me - "tomorrow i've got an exam and i've done 45 minutes revision, tops" - so I decided to dedicate the day to Geography revision. From the hours of 11am to 4pm I sat with a pile of Geography notes, two highlighter pens and some speakers re-reading over the notes, as well as the occasional 'dancing' when a good song came on. It really did help, and I was really pleased with how much I had done, so I decided to take the evening off and went out for a lovely meal with the family. Upon return we stopped off for a mid-week stock up of bread, milk...and Ben & Jerry's :D I've been talking about getting some for the past few months now so I was content haha.

This morning I got up for Geography, where I met Craig and after about an hour or so we headed to the library to revise. Time seemed to fly by from that point up to the exam, which turned out to be one of the hardest exams ever - everything I had revised really just didn't seem to fit, so I just went on and on describing the diagrams we were given and using case studies I was given in school than at college.

We walked out of the exam all a bit shocked, I really wasn't expecting it to be that hard after the mock...but the further away we all got from college, I realized how brilliant this year will hopefully be.
It was lightly raining outside, yet summer seemed closer than ever before.

I was up and ready by 9'o'clock for canceled plans so I spent my morning dodging revision by dancing about.

As the moring went on I got a phone call from Maz asking if I could help him out with his media at college. So at around 12:30 him and Ross came round and we drove to college. It was dead silent! There were a couple of people in revising though, I might go in tomorrow as I can't get any done at home. Anyway we started filming and it was one of the funniest things ever, as all I had to do was hum..yet we would all end up cracking up with laughter.

As the afternoon progressed I went over to the Bakery to grab a Hot Chocolate, and surprise surprise I burnt my tongue on it once again.
It started to rain harder and harder, and we were all lacking coats so we decided to head on home.

We passed some school kids who were stood next to a puddle...oblivious to the puddle we drove straight through it soaking them in water! Did we stop and appologise? No we went round trying to find some more puddles.

I got home and spent the remainder of the evening deciding how to start making Ali's present and wondering about the coming months. So much is planned, yet theres so little time until everyone goes off to University, which yes might be a horrible thought, but i'm gonna make the most of the time left with those moving away :)

My alarm was shouting at me - 9am - I had a Geography Mock 2 hours and 15 minutes away. So the night before I decided that if I got up and if I was ready by about 9:30 I could get about an hour of Revision done. I turned my alarm off and rolled back over to sleep for another 30 minutes, and after I was ready the time was 10:20...10 minutes before I had to leave.
I picked up some of my notes, all of them scrambled around the floor, something about weather and another about migration. I couldn't concentrate, it had come too quickly and there was no way I was to cram revision today. I reminded myself that it was only a Mock so I shouldn't worry as much and made my way to college.
Upon arrival I met Ali and we headed into the classroom. It was actually set out like a proper exam, tables separated singularly, and of all the places to sit, we headed towards the front of the class, right in front of Antony's desk. 3 pens, a pencil and a pack of mints were in order for this exam, and as I was setting myself up, I heard an ever so familiar laugh enter the room. I turned and got a sudden burst of water in my face. Craig had a water pistol which seemed to have a never ending supply of water.
The test started and within 5 minutes Antony walked out of the room. Straight away, Criag turned to Ali and squirted him with the water pistol, it hit him square in the face, so Ali grabbed the mints from my desk and threw them at Craig. I watched in complete horror as the remainder of my mints flew from their snug packed through the air, missing Craig and hitting the board.
7 sides of what seemed to me like complete and utter rubbish was written and I headed for the door.

Walking home I saw Bec's and Holly drinking tea so I popped in to say hello, they were waiting for Piero to help him with his filming for Media. He showed up with a camera and sound equipment and it hit me, I had forgotten to collect everything I had booked out for the weekend, so off I headed, back to college to find Jim.

Back home I headed and along the way found Bec's and Holly filming for Piero's film. They were dressed in School Uniforms which was rather funny. For one scene they had to cross the road saying something about something or another - each take funnier as they had the giggles and each take the further Holly walked up the road haha.

I got home and rang Craig to discuss what was going to happen later that evening and he started explaining stuff about the test that lost me totally.

I wrote my letter of resignation and Craig came round, we headed to Bec's and met Dave, Rachel and Ali at Flemings just gone 8:15. It was a cold evening, and I had left my Coat, as well as Wallet at home.
Ali bought me a Milkshake to make up for my lost mints and Craig managed to get us all a free Pizza.

McDonalds seemed to be next on the list, and the only thing on my mind was that Resignation letter.

I got to work the next day and found that this weekend was not to be my last, as that was to come next Saturday, but as soon as I gave it in there was just a giant feeling of relief.