Sunday 22 July 2012

The Olympic Games: to be a fan, or not to be a fan...

So, as the whole world knows, the Olympics is coming to London.
Joy.
I understand that it is a great privilege as it is has been going on for yeeeaars, but it has caused such a hassle that I can't help question if all the fuss it worth it.

Because that's what it is, fuss. New venues built especially for it that may not even be used afterwards? What's the point of spending so much? They are impressive constructions but there is no doubt that the money could have been spent elsewhere and made a real difference.

After all the cuts and whatnot, was this the best time?
Then again, would it have been a good time for any country? Greece? Syria? France? Even America?
No one could have predicted the future, but surely some people with some authority saw it coming?
Who knows. The public are always kept in the dark, eh?

Nevertheless, there are of course stupidly awful Olympic songs to get people in the mood. Like Muse's attempt to create a 2012 summer banger - but failing - and producing a Queen-sounding anthem, only suited to be played in a red square in the USSR... Never mind Bellamy, not sure there'll be a next time to have better luck in. Sorry mate.

But life goes on and so do the games.
The torch is supposed to go by the park near my house in a few days so hopefully that will be exciting and finally get me in the mood. I do want to like the Olympics, and I did before they came to LND. I dunno, maybe I'm just being a scrooge, as my dad says.
Lemme ave it papa!


Monday 16 July 2012

When I grow up...

When I grow up
I want to be famous
I want people to know my name
and have it resonate within their hearts
so much so that they will name children, streets, buildings, bridges after me
I will be in every topic of conversations
"Mama" and "dada" will no longer be a child's first words
but my "oof"

When I grow up
I want to be an artist
The next Gillian AyresLee Krasner or Philip Sutton
Not Freud or Van Gogh,
all creators of visual splendor but some less tragic than others...

When I grow up
I want to be a designer
Fashion
Dior, Prada, Erdem and Stella McCartney will want me
Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie, Alexa Chung will wear me
Girls will covert my clothing
From the moment they first gaze in Vogue
Or maybe
Interior
Making a space you
Making your space you
Making your space me
colour, monochrome
vibrant, nutral
cushions (pillows?), walls, curtains, windows, stairs, cabinets, beds, decor, fabric
Fabric
pattern, print
Design...

When I grow up
I want to be a doctor
Save lives
Cure diseases
Help humanity
Cancer who?
Faint at the first drip drop of blood
injections, immunisations
screaming scared children
"Where's my mummy?"

When I grow up
I want to be happy
I want to be loyal
I want to be laughing so hard I cry floods and tie my stomach into knots
I want to be inspired
I want to be productive
I want to be kind and caring
I want to be carefree
I want to be creative
I want to be knowledgeable
I want to be fun
and have fun
I want to be spontaneous
I want to smile
I want to be loved
I want to be me.

Thursday 12 July 2012

Considering our future

The future seems to be a hot topic of discussions lately. Maybe it is because this is the time in my life when I actually have to start considering my future. And with the future come a job, eventually. I have chosen my undergraduate degree course (History of Art), but apparently that isn't far enough ahead.
I know what my interests are but I don't know what I want?! I'm still only a buba in my family and yet I need to pick an occupation? Nahh
I have always been told to do what I love, so I have, up to this point. Is this the right thing to do, or should I follow a path that I know will be more stable?

We all get asked as children what we want to be when we're older. We all say completely irrational answers or ones that just will not ring true. Por ejemplo, year 2, age 7: I wanted too be a pop star (irrational), my best friend wanted to be a lion tamer (also irrational), and my other best friend wanted to be a pet shop owner (won't happen).  Looking back, all three of us, who are still in contact 10 years later (brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it?), laugh at these suggestions. Hysterially.

I may not know what I want to be or what the future holds, but I am excited to find out. I want to finish my A-levels, go to university and graduate! I know I am not alone and I know that I do not have to know exactly what I want to do as a career just yet. But I also know that I don't want to go through life feeling unfulfilled...

As my aunt said, when I asked her how she knew what she wanted to be when she was older, "I'm 50 and I still don't know!"

This concerned me slightly, but did however put me at ease.
Moral is, you may never know, and that's okay.

I still sing, just not often to other people...
Maybe become a writer?

Not quite a lion but will a tiger do?

Wednesday 4 July 2012

The Last Concert

Tonight I had a reunion concert for the youth choir I used to be in.
I left at the beginning of this academic year because I just didn't have time.
We used to do quite a few concerts for various events and did actually travelled quite a bit. We would go abroad every october half term to sing in other countries. We've been to Paris, Budapest and even New York City.
This concert tonight was awfully fun.
And by that I mean awful, but fun.
We aren't the best youth choir around but we can always count on our parents to fill the audience...
Despite our below par singing we are like one big family, everybody has their own personality and role in the choir. I have missed them this past year and will continue missing them.
Farewell.

Budapest, view from the Danube at night
New York, Time square, consumerism central! 

Tuesday 3 July 2012

Paper cutting

My new found pastime, passion or project? 

My mum and I went on a paper cutting workshop lead by Suzy Taylor (Check her out she's amazing!).
It was great fun, a real girly activity for mothers and daughters to bond over. 
I didn't want it to end! 
It takes longer than you think with a lot more effort and concentration than you think. 
My neck, hand and eyes hurt after but no pain no gain! Right?
My mum was very pleased with herself after, which was nice, as she isn't the most creative person (but she is better at drawing than she gives herself credit for). She cut a nice and simple deep violet tree against a clashing red background. Was nice and striking. I have an underlining obsession with butterflies so of course what better medium to create such delicate beauty than paper cutting? I was quite pleased but wasn't quite finished.
Mum's paper cutting

My unfinished paper cutting


British Summer

I like the sun shine, but I also like the rain. 
I like the warmth stroking my cheeks while my fingertips stroke the soft sand.
Yet I also like the patter of droplets as I walk to the bus stop; as I wait for a bus, against the bus window as I travel to college, against the classroom windows as I wait for college to end, against my bedroom window as I dose off into tomorrow...
It is a shame that we either have already had a very brief summer here, at least, in London, or will not at all! I hope the sun does make an appearance maybe August/September, at least keep us on our toes.
However, while the sun deprives us of his glory, I am enjoying the rain it has to be said. 
I have finally found my anorak! Which my mum had taken (she says borrowed without asking), so now I have no fear of the rain and am eager to stroll around outside. 
I do fear that this cheap anorak may be my kryptonite. My mum better not take it again otherwise I am not leaving the house until the sun does come out. And who know how long that could be!
Reading Festival 2011, by our tent, it remained safe from rain and mud, thankfully!

Reading Festival 2011, (From left to right, Kate, Chloe, Me, Ellie) I looked far more drenched than I thought at the time... This year better not be the same, but it probably will yay