My Summer Plans

Today I sat my last management level case study exam and, all being well and I pass it, that means I get the summer off exams and college! I can't remember the last time I had this long off studying. But a summer off means I get to make summer plans. Here's what I hope to do:

Pointe

As a dancer it's always been a dream of mine to go on pointe, to own a pair of those beautiful shoes. This year I get the chance. I'm booked onto my first ever pointe class, and now just need to arrange my pointe shoe fitting. I'm so excited.

France

This year I get a proper holiday. Two weeks relaxing by the Pool in France. I haven't been abroad since 2007, and after the busyness that has been the last few years a fortnight doing very little is exactly what I need. We've booked two beautiful cottages, one right near the beach, another further in land and I can't wait to get away from home for a while.

Birthday Celebrations

The summer is always a good time of year for me as it's my birthday! This year it's even better because it's the Sunday of bank holiday weekend, meaning I get a long weekend off work. No concrete plans yet, but I foresee plenty of meals out, cocktails and quality time with loved ones. Exciting!

Boulevard

Boulevard is a burlesque show in Newcastle that I've been longing to go to for a few years now. When debating where to go for our last work's night, one of the girls and I suggested here but then decided that we'd save this for a girls only summer night out. Drinks, dancing and laughter is sure to be fun.

Reading

I started the year with a list of books I wanted to read. I think I've managed to read only one. I'm very disappointed in myself, but college unfortunately took over my life. I want to fall back in love with my Kindle and start to make a dint in my reading list.

TV/Film

Again, my TV shows have been neglected whilst I've been at college. I can't wait to continue working  my way through Pretty Little Liars, and getting up to speed on Vikings. There's also a few good films out this summer I can't wait to see, and my Now TV box that's feeling very unloved.

Health and Fitness

With a summer of no college, I have no excuses not to focus my attention on getting fit and healthy. I can get back to the gym, get back on track with loosing my winter weight and improve my flexibility and strength a lot more.

Blogging

I have a list of blog posts that I keep adding to quicker than I write them, and a new camera that's dying to be used for some new photos. I'm going to do as much as I can over the summer, and plan ahead for the rest of the year.

So far I have only a few definite plans, but I'm sure there'll be a lot more adventures with my friends and family to come. Here's to a brilliant summer! (And fingers crossed I passed my exam so I can enjoy it all)

Sarah x

Film Review: If I Stay

Wow! Where do I begin? When this film was released in the cinema I'd heard a lot of good reviews, but hadn't really spent the time to research into what it was. I got The Fault in Our Stars DVD for Christmas and as I was skipping through the trailers before it started one came up that caught my eye, and I stood in the middle of my living room fixed to the TV until it ended. I instantly went and ordered the DVD so I could watch it. I'm so pleased I did.

The film follows Mia, a high school girl with an amazing musical talent. She meets Adam, a high school senior with a promising music career ahead of him, and they fall into an amazing relationship. Before you get the chance to learn much about Mia's life, family, and relationship, there's a serious car crash which Mia and her family are involved in.

The story follows Mia in the aftermath of the crash. She's stuck in limbo as she watches her family being taken to the hospital, fighting for their lives, debating whether she should stay on Earth or move into the light. As it progresses you get to learn a lot more about Mia, her life, her relationships, and how everyone around her feels at the thought of loosing her.

The cast is perfect for this film. Mia and Adam have amazing chemistry, and their lives come across as so ordinary and normal. Their lives and relationship could be happening to any normal teenager.

I'm struggling to find the words to express how amazing this film is. It is so emotional, I cried throughout, I'm left feeling a bit empty in side, but I would quite happily press play on the DVD remote and watch it all over again.

It is, without a doubt, one of the best films I ever seen.

Sarah x

Book Review - The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Warning: Make sure you have tissues when you read this. There's only ever one book in my life that has made me cry (On the Edge, by Richard Hammond if you're wondering), this doubled my list to two.

I don't know why I even chose to read this, it's not a book I'd normally opt for. I much prefer fantasy books with magic and worlds far away from ours, but this one caught my attention and I'm glad it did. 

The story is focused on Hazel, a teenage girl diagnosed with a terminal illness hoping experimental drugs will lengthen the time she has left. Terrified of the thought of being a Grenade to her family and her friends, she is such an inspiration remaining strong throughout everything and putting the feelings and future of others before her own. She shows that to fight through difficult times, you need a positive attitude.

After meeting Gus at a support group she didn't want to go to, her life takes a surprising turn and she falls in love the way you fall asleep; slowly then all at once. At first I wasn't sure I liked Gus but I, like Hazel, very quickly fell in love. 

This book is so well written you can't help but connect with the characters and want them to enjoy their lives the way they should be able to. Although I kind of predicted the storyline in some aspects, the story still put me through an emotional roller coaster. Raising questions about the impact I'm making on this world, who will remember me once I've gone and how I'll be remembered. It definitely makes you think twice about everything. 

Cancer is something we can't get away from, and you're very lucky if you don't know someone who hasn't been affected by the illness. What the book addresses though is how people react to those unfortunate to be suffering from the disease, and what it is actually like for the families who are left behind. That's something you probably can't understand unless you've been in that position yourself, but this book gives a really good insight.

This book is a great summer read, I'd recommended to anyone who likes a story you can connect with. And if you don't like reading, then the film is out on the 19th June so you can still experience the story.

100 Happy Days...Day 56

Day 56 - Frozen

Because I love it so much, today's happy day deserved a post on it's own rather than being combined with my Weigh In posting.

I'm a bit behind the rest of the world, but today I finally got to watch frozen. and I LOVE IT.

What an amazing film. A great story, some great truths throughout, and amazing songs.

I'll admit, prior to watching it I thought everyone was being a bit over the top about the whole thing, but I'm in total agreement with everyone. An amazing film. Possibly the best Disney princess film for a while now.

Now...time to go sing 'Let it Go' over and over again.