Everest BABY!!!

So, I apparantly have lost my mables because I've decided to trek to the Base Camp of Everest with my friend Alex and a group of other students. We're off in March during the Easter holidays. While in Nepal, as we trek up to the Base Camp, which is 5,360 metres (17,600 ft) up the 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) of Mt Everest, we'll be visiting villages and schools to see where the money we raise is going. We're also going to have the chance to go on a safari on the back of an elephant and go bungee jumping!!! I'm sooo excited but a little bit scared as well, cause it's going to be the hardest thing I've ever done!!!!

We need to raise £2,200 each by February which is also going to be a massive challenge. I've got quite a few ideas like cake sales, a club night, sponsorship, bag packing, etc, but I was wondering if anyone else had some good ideas to raise this money? I'm sure some of you will think of something great!!

This is my sponsorsip page http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HelenMcGuire so please pass it round friends, family, randomers, anyone!

xxxxx

Wow, two blogs in two days?! Must be a new record for me or something!

Anywho, following on from Freddie's video (YAAAAAAAAAY Freddie sunday is back in my life!!!) I thought I'd answer her questions today, as I'm going to be having another manic week this week and probably wont get the chance later.

Soooo, question numero 1: What did I secretly want to be when I was growing up?
Errrr, no idea. I honestly can't remember what I wanted to be. I suppose I was like most kids and wanted to be a princess/dinosaur finder/adventurer/pirate, but what real job did i always want to do? No idea. Definitely not law.

2: How old was I when I started walking?
Again, no idea. Whatever the normal age to start walking is. I know I learnt to talk very quickly and my parents always joke that they've never been able to shut me up (haha aren't parent's funny?!)

3: Stripes or Polka dots?
Er, see background please. Polka dots all the way!!

4: Worst haircut I've ever had in my life?
Probably the one I did for myself where I cut it all wonky. That wasn't so fun. Luckily you can disguise a bad haircut with my hair.

5: Do I like the name Juno?
Yes, but it only suits Ellen Page in the film. Unless you're as cool as she is, Juno will never suit you!

6: If I could already fly, had super strength and super speed, what would be my extra super hero power?
Definitely invisibility. Cause then I could spy on people!

7: What is the naughtiest thing I've ever done?
Oh God, I was such an evil child, that there are probably loads of things, many of which I've forgotten, they were that bad! The first thing that sprang to mind was stealing pick and mix from my local shop in south africa every single sunday for about 6 years. That's a lot of pick and mix. Or stealing some of my sisters' jewellery, and then breaking it, and blaming my little brother who couldn't talk and so couldn't defend himself? :S I was a naughty sister!


Now, I'm looking forward to reading other people's answers! And Freddie, I know you answered a few of the questions, but I think you should answer all of them!

I also just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE your first video, Freddie! The bit at the beginning, where you're singing to How do you like you're eggs in the morning makes me smile every time and really cheers me up. I listen to that song, and Get Happy by Judy Garland, every morning on my way into uni and it makes sure I start my day off well! Then when I get home after spending most of the day in the library, I make sure I watched that part of the video just to cheer me up! So thank you Freddie! :D

Toodles for now
xxxx

One boring Saturday afternoon....

So I really should be working right now, but I'm bored so I decided that it was high time to update my blog! I don't really have anything interesting to say (when do I ever) but it seems like a very good procrastination!

This week has been a bit of an odd one - I've been working ridiculously hard trying to finish 3 essays due next week. I've only finished one, have done the reading for another so I'm almost ready to start that one, and the third one is going fuck knows where. So Hells Bells is a little stressed at the moment.

God, I never really thought about how hard second year would be! its not really much harder content wise, but I've got more assignments and reading to do, so it feels much harder! I'm actually looking foward to Christmas just to have a break from work!

I know Freddie in her blog wanted us to describe something funny that's happened this week, but I don't think any thing has for me. I've been spending every day in the library, and nothing fun ever happens in the library! So, sorry to disappoint Fred, but if something fun does happen to me soon, I'll let you know.

Right, I'd better get back to work. I'll try and keep this blog better updated so all you lovely people know whats happening in Brighton!

Love you all

xxxxx

O M F G

This looks A MA ZING!!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I'm actually too excited for words!!!!

Zzzzzzzzzzhmmmmmmmmmmmm plonk

That is kinda the noise going through my head right now while im trying to revise...as in static noise cause my brain is too tried to really work out what to add to this bloody essay to make it even half way good. All I have is a plonk every now and again.

This post isnt gonna be me complaining about how much i hate revision - you all know what its like, im sure you dont really need reminding.

Anywho, the reason I am wasting my time writing this and not actually doing some work is that I need your help. Basically as I write my essay I listen to Spotify (Hi, i'm Jonathan from Spotify....Hello, this is your freezer speaking....etc!) But I'm running out of things to listen to! I listen to classical music while I study as anything else just distracts me (like yesterday when I decided to listen to Disney songs and just spent an hour singing to myself in the library - my housemates were WTF?! lol!) I've been listening to loads of film scores - like Gladiator, the Last of the Mohicans, Pirates of the Carribean etc etc - but I cant think of any more amazing film scores or just any music to listen to and inspire me to work harder! So i thought I'd ask you, as you are all very musical and love your soundtracks!

So please, let me know what you think would help me to revise, or just what is you favourite film scores? I will be eternally grateful!

Just to say that i've spent the last two days listening everything Danny Elfman on Spotify and I love him! I've always known he's a great composer and everything (especially as Freddie goes on about him a lot! :P) but sitting in the library yesterday, trying to write an essay on the influence of religion on persecution, i suddenly had an epiphany and fell in love with Danny Elfman. So thank you Freddie for constantly going on about him. It has finally penetrated my thick skull!!

And good luck to everyone doing exams, essays, making records etc!

Peace out!
x

And so it begins....

I've just returned from my first session in the library completely dedicated to revision....and so the boredom/stress/torment of the next month begins. Revision, as Marina so wonderfully put it on facebook earler "revision is Hitler’s and Stalin’s manbaby". This, unfortuanately, is far too true, especially as I have the wonderous job of revising both of these fantastic men, in far too deep a detail.

There are a number of things getting me through this truely hellish experience:

1. The awful weather - makes it so much easier to be stuck indoors
2. My annoying housemates who insist on having the TV up far too loud even when I've asked them to turn it down
3. Again, my housemates and them not doing their washing up, therefore making the house smell
4. Two of my housemates constantly having sex in their room, and as the walls are pretty thin, the ENTIRE house can hear them
   
5. GLASTONBURY!!!!
6. And going home and seeing my friends

So yeah, at times, the library is the better place. And I love that our library is 24 hours so that when I get the sudden urge to start working at, say, 10 o'clock, it's still open and I can work till i literally collapse at 4 in the morning.

Talking of collapsing, last night the weirdest thing happened. I was doing some reading for my seminar this morning, reading about the causes of the First World War, when i decided just to rest my eyes for a few minutes as i was pretty tired. Next thing I know, I wake up at 2 in the morning, my reading stuck to my face, my body in some weird curled up position, and a bloody sore crick in my neck. I peeled my reading off my face, threw all my books and crap on the floor, and fell asleep again. My friend phoned and texted me not long after, which i slept through. If i get a text, my phone literally goes off and vibrates every 10 seconds, but i slept through this. My 3 alarms went of at 7.30 which i completely slept through, and therefore missed my seminar this morning. I didnt wake up until 12pm. In that time, my phone had been vibrating and ringing as my course mates tried to see if i was alive, my housemates went to lectures (slamming the front door as they did), they'd made breakfast, had showers, watch tv, and (according to them) made quite a bit of racket. I'd slept through all this. I've never done this before. So i woke up, not having a clue where everyone was or why i'd slept so late!
Talking of sleeping, I'm gonna go watch a DVD and have an early one so that i can be up bright and early tomorrow to get an entire day of revision done!

And the countdown begins: 40 days till Glastonbury!!!

And 48 days till I'm back in Jersey.

That's whats getting me through revision!

Death is the Road to Awe

As Freddie keeps sharing music that she loves at the moment, I thought I'd join in the fun. I've just been watching The Fountain, which is the film where this music is from. I actually heard the music before I'd even watched the film, and it was actually hearing this song and seeing this video that made me buy the DVD.

And it is a brilliant movie! Truely beautiful and wonderful. I've seen it twice now, and I cry like a baby every time. I really hope all of you can see it, cause it is really superb. It's classed as a sci-fi movie, and i can see why it is, but i wouldn't class it as a sci-fi. Basically, the beginning is quite confusing, but if you do get round to watching it, please stick with it!!! it does get easier to understand, trust me. And it is an amazing film, it really makes you think about life and death.

And two of my favourite quotes of all time comes from this film - firstly, "death is the road to awe" which i think is just a beautiful way of seeing death, and secondly, "for every shadow, no matter how deep, is threatened by the morning light" as it is really inspiring.

Anyway, this song is amazing, and Clint Mansell is a genius. Enjoy!

Getting lost

Happy Easter everyone! Hope you've all had a great day, making the most of the good weather!

Today was such a beautiful day that I decided to go for a drive. My Felix (the Ford Fiesta), my iPod, two bottles of coke and my sunnies, and I was ready for a drive.

Now, I dont want to sound cheesy, or sentimental or anything but I probably will. I've lived in Jersey about 10 years and I know that Jersey is a very beautiful place, but my God, Jersey is beautiful. I had such a brilliant time just driving around, in the sun with my music. I started at my house in St Ouen, somehow ended in Gorey, and then visited random beaches and a few woods on my way home! I drove past all my friends' houses and waved to you as i drove past!

Mmmm, makes me want to go on a road trip....

Sometime Around Midnight

No, I do realise that I'm writing this blog at ten thirty, not sometime around midnight.

In response to freddie's blog, I'm sharing one of my favourite songs of the moment, a song called Sometime Around Midnight by the Airborne Toxic Event. I love the strings in this song and also the way it starts off quietly and just builds. I love it and its a brilliant song to sing to while stuck in trafic! I also think the lead singer is quite cute!

When your fears subside
And shadows still remain
Its the distance
That makes life a little hard.

Time will kiss the world goodbye
Just catch in the eye of the storm
Don't you think that you need somebody
You're not the only one.

This paper trail lead me right back to you
I'm falling safely to the ground
I'll only make you cry, this is our last goodbye
Until you have it all,
You won't be free.

I hope you're not lonely, without me
You dont have to go it alone
All these memories come rushing
Stranded in this spooky town.

F E A R

Album cover

Following on from Lyle's post, here is my album cover. I might hate it in the morning (well day) and change it but it kinda fits the mood I'm in at the mo. I really should have left this to when I dont have anything to do but, what the hell!

Now, bring me that horizon....

Ahhhhh I'm so excited!! Tomorrow night, Freddie will be arriving in the land of Hells Bells (aka Brighton!) Twill be amazing! I can't wait to see her again! It's going to be the most hectic and fun 2 days EVER!

Right now, I've got to get back to tidying my very messy student house and finish my reading for my seminar on wednesday so I have extra time to hang out with Fred!!

Oh, and happy birthday Tori!! Bet you're having loads and loads of fun right now!!

Welcome to the glories of History...!

So in Freddie's video, she showed us all what her course is all about. And unfortunately, what she does is a tad more intersting than what I have to do. I love my course, it's so interesting, but its no where near as fun as Freddie's seems to be.

In case you've forgotten, I am doing History, the best subject I could possibly have chosen to do. I have less hours of contact time than most other people (i've got a maximum of 9 hours of lectures and seminars a week, and thats only every other week. usually it's just 7 hours!) But I have a hell of a lot of reading to do. And far too many essays.

Now I tell everyone who listens about how much reading I have, and while everyone is sympathetic, I don't think they quite realise how much reading I have to do. So I decided to take some photos of how much reading I have.

This is my folder with all the reading I have done in the past 4 weeks. I spent all weekend organising it and writing notes so that I have something to revise with when it comes to the dredded exams.

These are my course readers for 2 of my units. The reading for the other unit is online, so just imagine another course reader like this but even bigger.

These are some examples of the reading I have to do each week.

So there you go, all the reading I do for my degree. Plus dont forget to add another course reader on top of the pink one to make up for the unit of reading that's on the internet. And now you see the reason why my facebook status' are always "Helen is still reading and wants to die..." etc!

And the best bit? That's all the compulsory reading I have to do. I'm expected to do extra reading, a few of those books I have on my self, most of them I have to go to the library to get. As it takes me forever to do the compulsory reading, I rarely get a chance to do the extra reading unless I have to write an essay!

But I love my course, even though the reading is a bit daunting at times. And then in our seminars, we debate the texts we've read and then in essays, we debate the topic. So it's pretty easy once the reading is done!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

YAY!!!! I have snow!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!

Finally I've got snow! Hopefully it'll get heavier over night and then we're gonna go sledging tomorrow if there's enough snow as we've got a huge hill near the house! So that'll be some exercise tomorrow!

And talking of exercise, following Freddie's very cool vid, as she said, I do cricket. I had to today and had soo much fun! We had a tournament the other day which was loads of fun, even though we were playing with boys who hit the ball FAR TOO HARD!
I'm gonna start the gym soon. I cycle or walk to uni and back every day, and walking round uni is a bloody trek anyway! Other than that I dont really do much more exercise, except for cleaning and dancing like a loon in my room or in the shower (both activities I count as exercise!!!)

no sleep yet again

why is this becoming a regular occurance?!

The Sleep Paradox

Too tired to sleep

So tired I need sleep

Too many things in my brain preventing me from sleep

Nothing to concentrate on and take my mind off the fact I can't sleep

Welcome to the sleep paradox

(yes, i have been watching far to much Doctor Who!)

Ideas

Its weird how ideas work

Last night I went to Write Club - which is a creative writing group where writers meet to read some of their work, hear others work and generally just have some fun. We did a few exercises last night and out of that, a few ideas sparked in my head. I thought about them all last night, but didnt have time to write them down because I had lots of reading to do. They raced through my brain while i tried to get to sleep - making links, storylines and characters. I've only had time now to sit down and start trying to write these ideas down but I can't seem to cement any of them. Its really frustrating but quite nice too because its been a long time since iv actually felt creative and wanted to write.

One phrase from last night that has sparked a million different storylines - all as interesting as the other. We had to write a poem in 10 seconds (basically its a competition to see who can write a very funny and random phrase in 10 seconds) One guy came up with:

Tickle me,
I'm poor

Which had us laughing for ages, and now it had created so many ideas that i have no idea where to start. But I'm not complaining cause it's brilliant to have my brain thinking about storylines instead of the advantages of the proto-industrial change, for example!

Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

God, I hate getting up in the morning and at the moment I'm finding it absolutely impossible to get out of bed! This morning I set my alarm to go off at 8.50, so I could give myself 10 mins in bed and therefore get up at 9. Instead I pushed snooze every 10 mins until 10, when I actually got a call from my sister-in-law and hearing another human voice actually got me out of bed. Now that I'm up, I just wanna curl up and go back to sleep. After all I dont have a lecture until 2 so i can sleep until 12....NO! I have work, I can't sleep!!!! God, I hate loving sleep! :(

Revenge is best served in a tutu

Don't mess with me Saunter, don't even try!!!

My 5 songs...

So Freddie threw down the gauntlet to post my all time favourite songs in the entire world - gah! I'm sure thats impossible. Actually, it is impossible because the final 5 songs I've chosen cannot even begin to reflect my taste in music. Nethertheless, I have chosen 5:

1. Gimme Shelter by the Rolling Stones
This is one of the first songs I remember hearing as a child, when my dad used to play some of his music on a Sunday afternoon while reading the Sunday newspapers. This song has always been one of my favourites because of the way it builds at the beginning, the rifts, and the way it always makes me want to jump around!

2. Sally's Pigeons by Freddie
I'm not saying this one just because Freddie set down the challenge - I genuinly love this song to bits! Its in my top 10 most played songs on my iPod (and about 4 other tracks are in my top 50!) Freddie gave it to me just before I left for uni, and it just reminds me of the innocence of childhood. Just a brilliant song!

3. Fix You by Coldplay
I love Coldplay so I really couldn't decide which song to choose. Fix You has always been one of my favourites because of the story behind the song (Chris Martin wrote it for his wife Gwyneth Paltrow after her father suddenly died)

4. Society or Guarantee by Eddie Vedder (from the film Into The Wild)
This film has completely changed my world and the soundtrack to it is amazing. I keep banging on about this film to everyone I know because it is a film that everyone should see. The music makes me cry everytime I hear it, especially these two songs, which is why I chose two here, because I couldn't choose between them!

5. Lelilungelo Elakho by Ladysmith Black Mambazo
I have had African music played to me all my life so it was again very difficult to chose just one song that is my all time favourite. I suppose this one beats the rest because a) this song used to put me to sleep, and b) it seems to have popped up at important times in my life.

It was so difficult to chose just 5, and I haven't even included any of my favourite classical music which could take me forever to decide. I'd include Nyman's The Heart Asks for Pleasure First, Flying over Africa - John Barry, O Fortuna - Mozart, Vissi D'arte from Tosca, oh the list could go on......

But I suppose these 5 mean the most to me, and are the songs I could never live without....

2008 - the year of the pogo stick....

My blog is going to follow the line of quite a few others - 2008 for me was the year of the pogo - lots of ups and downs, and a few pogo stick dances at jl avec Freddie!

The brilliants ups - my friends, finishing school, starting uni, being free, seeing my niece, being in south africa - being HOME, family, Glastonbury, Jersey Live, the best summer of my life, the best Christmas of my life

The heart-breaking lows - clearing, exams, disappointment, redundancy, the credit crunch, death, war, heartbreak, jealousy

But i wouldn't have changed anything this year, because it all happened for a reason. Im a much stronger person than i was 12 months ago. I know who I am now - some bits of myself I'm not entirely happy with, but I can change if i want to. At least I know me.

And now I look forward to 2009. this year i'll no longer be a teenager! I'm going to glastonbury this year, hopefully with a few friends which'll be awesome! and i'll be living and surviving by myself, which is the most fun Ive ever had.

I've realised this Christmas that I dont fit at home anymore. I feel like a jigsaw piece thats forced into a hole that almosts fits, but not quite. This is my home, and i love it, but its not me anymore. I'm different, but this place has stayed the same. I cant wait to get back to uni, but I know i dont fit in my house either. thats not necessarily a bad thing. I love sussex and i know i fit there, i just think i need new housemates. So the new year will bring some change, and maybe i'll find a jigsaw that'll fit better....

I do know one place where I do fit, and I'm gonna follow Freddie's lead on this one - FRIENDS. I spent last nite with Tori, Alex, Claire, and Rachel, and I couldn't imagine spending New Years with anyone else (except including Freddie, Marina, & Methini) We had such a fun time, talking and singing, and messing around, and I'm really glad i didn't go to the NYE party at the waterfront. Because I fit with my friends, they really mean the world to me. I know most of the time I dont really show it (cause I'm usually being quite mean or hurting them!) but I really love all of you, and its actually you lot that keep me sane. (Oh dear God, how can that be true when you're all insane!) I just want to say, thank you for standing by me this year, and helping me when I thought I couldn't go on. I haven't had a great year, but its all my friends who stopped me from going under. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I'm going to sign off now, before I actually make myself cry. Thank God 2008 is over, and here's to a better 2009!

x