Creating creativity

Living in student accommodation there isn't that much you can do to personalise your room, but I found myself being so uninspired to do my work, writing or anything at my desk. It was far too cluttered and I just couldn't concentrate. So, the other day I was a bit bored and decided that it was the perfect excuse to make my desk a place where I wanted to be and work efficiently and effectively.   Granted it's not the neatest, or perfect place for everyone, but it's perfect for me.

I wanted there to be colour and quotes, and pictures - things that make me happy or have memories associated with them, or that make me feel inspired. Now my desk consists of colourful post-it note quotes, cards from people I love and care about, pictures of me and Caitlin (obviously), and the tweet she sent me too!

It's just somewhere that makes me feel both inspired and peaceful at the same time. All my notes and university work is around me, my favourite films and books, fairy lights and no snacks! Honestly I used to have all my snacks near my desk, and for someone with a very sweet tooth it was very distracting.

As a writer I wanted to find somewhere that really sparked my creative flare and this really does, I'm so thankful for that. In other news, I've really been enjoying my sporadic blogging - I hope you are too!

Making memories

As I'm sure you all know, my family is the single most important thing in my life. My grandparents are my two most favourite people in the whole world, and so any time I get to spend with them is time well spent. So, on Friday, my grandparents, mum and I, toddled off to a local hotel for their quintessentially British 'Afternoon Tea', 

For anyone who isn't familiar with this concept, it happens in the middle of the afternoon and is seen as quite the treat amongst us British folk. It's present on dainty plates with teacups and saucers ready to filled with ta or coffee (I obviously went for tea). As you can see in the photo you then get a banquet of food on a tier of plates. The sandwiches are on the bottom, and what is reached for first. The selection ranged from ham, to smoked salmon (which I've recently discovered I do not like), and cucumber - all cut in to cutesy little fingers. Then on the second layer you have your cakes - ours were a lemon drizzle number and a cinnamon enriched fruit cake, both of which were rather delightful. Then comes to controversial layer, is it the "SCONE", or the "SCON" - I will forever argue the former, my reasoning is that you say "STONE" rather than "STON"...? Let me know what you like to call it in the comments - but back to the actual food, the "SCONES" were delicious and of course accompanied with clotted cream and strawberry jam - it would be sacrilege to have anything else on them. 

The food wasn't the reason we went for tea of course - although it was lovely. We went to spend time with my grandparents. Since moving house we no longer live close to them, although it's not too bad, I still miss just being able to walk up the road to see them sometimes. We laughed, joked and made some wonderful memories. I think their highlight was my inadequate spreading of clotted cream on a jammy base, followed closely by the broken "SCONE" falling down my hair and the lovely creamy smell that lingered until it was washed again... yummy! 

Do you like Afternoon Tea? Also, don't forget to tell me whether you say "SCONE" or "SCON" - I'll try not to judge you on your answer... haha! xx

Moving on, growing up and life is still going on.

So last time we spoke I think I was just coming to the end of my A-Levels – they’re all done now and I’m currently waiting on the results which come out on Thursday. I am scared, but for once I kind of believe in myself and all that I have worked for, so I’m just praying that it all pays off and that I get in to university.

Ah university. My feelings about going to university tend to fluctuate a lot; from being excited to down-right petrified. It’s going to be so strange to move on from my cosy life in a little town filled with family and memories, to a new city where I have endless capacities of new memories, friends and ultimately a life to build for myself. I don’t have a “plan B” which only intensifies my worry but I think it is about time that I actually start to believe in myself and reap the rewards from my hard work.

I never thought that I would feel so calm about leaving college, but I guess it won’t feel real until they all go back for another year and I start moving in to my halls. It will probably hit me and I’ll be a bit dumbstruck. I spent three life-changing years there and I wouldn’t have altered a single thing or had it any other way. It’s not so much the building, although I knew it offered me security, it’s more so the people of whom I am still very much in contact with and hope to be for a very long time. After-all, these amazing people have helped me grow and develop in to the Jemma that I am now.

Regardless of Thursday’s outcome, life will still very much be moving onwards, and either way I will still be starting the next journey of my life. I do not know the direction in which my life will go, and I kind of like it that way.