Take Me Back To My Youth

I've just been to see Toy Story 3 and I cannot explain how much I loved it. It by far exceeded my expectations and has reminded me why it is that I love film so much...why I want to be a part of this amazing industry that can have a whole room of total strangers laughing, crying and cheering together.

There is a reason they waited eleven years to make this film...and that reason was to make it so bloody brilliant that there are just no holes to pick at. From the beautiful and astounding animation to the wonderfully witty script, this film soars through emotional highs and lows as all your favourite characters are brought to life once more to battle an evil teddy bear. Woody has remained as loyal and charming as ever, Mr Potato Head is just as grumpy and yet so so lovable, Slinky is...well...Slinky, and Buzz? Oh Buzz goes through some changes in this one. All I'm going to say is...'Hola Señor!'.

So if you've got a few hours this summer, and if you're going to see just one film...please make sure it's this one. I promise you will not regret it.

Dear Grandma...

Due to some rather sad and unforeseen circumstances I find myself back in London today and for the next few days. I am deeply sorry to say that my grandmother died a few days ago, so of course I have come back for the funeral, which will take place on Monday. She was an amazing woman and will be sorely missed by everyone, including all ten of her grandchildren and her two new great-grandchildren (one of whom was born just a day after her passing...there is life in death, after all). Grandma, we love you and we will always remember you...you and your watered-down apple juice.

My Grandma, Rachel Foster

And So It Begins

Finally my summer travels have begun, and although not quite as exciting or adventurous as it would have been had I won the STA WTI, I am just ecstatic to be going anywhere, to be moving, to be on the road.

I'm currently in Tuscany, Italy, staying in the most beautiful villa about an hour south of Florence, with my Dad and two younger sisters. It. Is. Heaven. The weather is glorious, the food delicious, and the pool is the exact right temperature - not too cold, not too warm, just perfect. Oh it's a hard life.

We've really just been doing nothing since we arrived. Just lying by the pool, reading, listening to music...mostly waiting for the next meal! And I wouldn't have it any other way. Although I think tomorrow we're going to Siena for a bit of a change of scenery.

I'm here until Friday and then it's a nice long train journey to Nice, France (I think I have to make about 3 or 4 changes...that could be interesting as I really don't speak a word of Italian. Or French for that matter. All part of the adventure I suppose!) and then on to my Grandma's house in a little village called Coursegoules, up in the mountains. It's so beautiful there, and I've been going every year since I was three, so it's kind of like a home-from-home.

And so, the journey continues...

I Wrote A Song

I wrote a song. It's not very good I don't think, but I was messing around on the guitar yesterday and this is what came out. It doesn't have a name. for now I'll call it...

...Lost Myself

I cover my heart in armour
To protect myself from
Your prying eyes

There was once a time that
I wouldn't have
I was an open book
You could read every page

But somehow
As I've got older
I only got colder and
I lost myself

I want to lose myself in you
I want to lose myself in you
I'm waiting for the day when I wake up
And it all comes true

What does everyone around me see?
Is there something I'm missing
In this whole life?

Could I be a bit more trusting?
Then maybe I'd learn and
Give up the fight.

But somehow
As I've got older
I only got colder and
I lost myself

I want to lose myself in you
I want to lose myself in you
I'm waiting for the day when I wake up
And it all comes true

I want to lose myself in you
I want to lose myself in you
I'm waiting for the day when I wake up
And it all comes true

There has to be a day when I wake up
And it all comes true

Did I Forget To Mention?

On the 10th of May 2010, a momentous event occurred. I. Passed. My. Driving. Test. Yes me. After about 4 years and numerous attempts I was finally granted the freedom that I have desired for so long. And with only 4 minor faults too. I don't know why I didn't mention it earlier. I am chuffed. Now all I need is a car!

Bucket List Number 34 - complete!

These Are The Best Days Of My Life

My time in Falmouth this year is drawing to an end; I'm off back home to London in a few days, and to be honest I'm actually pretty excited. This usually buzzing beach-side town is getting more quiet and emptier by the day, there's only two of us left in my house now and I have to say I really don't like the soundless space. I can't wait to get back to a city and spend time with my family for a few weeks. Then I'm off to Europe for a month!

But before I get ahead of myself, I'll just back up a bit to the BEST weekend of my year so far...GLASTONBURY! I was a glasto virgin and it by far exceeded my (very high) expectations. The weather was beautiful, the bands were amazing, but most of all, it was the atmosphere and general happy vibe that I loved the most. Everyone was just so...chilled.

There's so much I want to say about it, I could go on forever. So instead here's my Top 5 best bits:

1. Spending 6 hours in the John Peel Tent and succeeding in getting right to the front for Mumford & Sons
2. Seeing Frank Turner do a secret gig to about 100 or so people at Strummerville Campfire - basically a little shed next to a campfire...amazing
3. Stevie Wonder...'nuff said.
4. Sitting in the fields of the Pyramid Stage, with Jack Johnson playing as the sun went down on the last evening.
5. The people. One example being when they wouldn't let any more people into the 'football fields' to watch the England v Germany game, we found two girls listening to the match on a radio and soon there were about twenty total strangers crowded round this crappy stereo all cheering and shouting. It didn't really matter that we lost...we were at glasto!

So that was Glastonbury 2010. Am I going again next year? You can bet your life on it!
Bucket List Number 36 - complete!


Now my sights are set on the next few summer months, and a good few months they are going to be, I can guarantee that. I'm off to Italy then France on family holidays, then from France I'm heading to the Greek island of Samos to visit a friend before spending some time in Athens and exploring a bit of what Europe has to offer. Fun times before the hard work and stress of my 3rd and final year at uni begins. I can't wait.

Until next time. Over and out.