A Japanese Visitor and a New Job...of sorts

After my tirade against David Cameron earlier this week, I thought I'd end the week on a slightly more humourous note and fill everybody in on what's being going on in my life. I know how much you all care of course (and if you don't, JUST PRETEND OK?!). Sidenote: Who suddenly ordered all these spiders?! I HATE THEM. That's all.

EXCITING THING NUMBER ONE

Six years ago, my GCSE Japanese class and I travelled to Japan for a two week tour of Kyoto, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji and Tokyo, where we completely a one-week homestay. Last year, a friend and I travelled to Tokyo, where I meant up with the girl I stayed with. AND THEN, last week, FINALLY, said friend visited England for the first time and stayed with me for a week. HURRAY!

We spent the week sightseeing around London, Hastings and little ol' Tunbridge Wells, where we experienced a very traditional afternoon tea (yuuuuuuuuuuuuuum). We went for a cruise down ye olde River Thames (which I had actually never done before and LOVED) and had a quick spin on the London Eye, where the views over London are simply stunning. It's probably easier to sum the week up with photos, so I've put them below (minus my phone pictures which are being useless once again). I had such a fantastic week and it was fab to actually get out the house and do something different for a change - even if I did prove myself to be a bit of an awful tour guide! I hope Seiko had a brilliant week too, and I hope we can meet again soon :)

 

^ Yes, that man is almost floating. WHAAAAT?!

YES, there was a fake-Psy doing Gangnam Style in British gear in London. Bloody brilliant.

I also had the chance to quickly say hi to my boyfriend. Obvs.

EXCITING THING NUMBER TWO

Last weekend (yes, it was a very hectic week) I started writing for Entertainmentwise.com, live tweeting the Strictly shows and reviewing them afterwards for the website. I'm really enjoying it, and it's giving me great experience for online writing, using a CMS and for improving my social media experience. I'll admit I also still find it exciting to see my name on an ACTUAL WEBSITE - don't judge me. I'll be putting all the reviews under 'Portfolio of Work' on here if you fancy a ganders by the way... please read them. Please. This is all working towards a job - any experience is good experience and I can only hope someone will see my writing, like it and offer me a job. Ahem. 

Tomorrow I'll be starting two weeks of work experience at Mother & Baby magazine, which I'm both hugely exciting and very nervous for- eek! Wish me luck!

Until next time (and hopefully a longer post. Sorry.),

x

The Pros and Cons of Becoming an Adult... of sorts.

Sincere apologies for my complete lack of blogging lately. Since last time, I've completed two brilliant weeks of work experience, firstly at GoThinkBig (I'll put a list of the articles I've written under a new page) and then at Top of the Pops Magazine, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. I've also had my adenoids removed, celebrated my 21st birthday and officially become one of those adult things.

Credit for photos to the lovely Jack and Sophie. Please enjoy the beautiful hospital gown, and know that I did actually have a sophisticated birthday with family... the photos just won't load on my laptop. First world problems

 Unfortunately this means I have to become somewhat of a sophisticated, mature, independent, financially stable young lady... something of a difficult task when you're still living in the delightful town of Tonbridge with your Dad, paying £7.30 for a drink in Tunbridge Wells because there's nowhere remotely good in Tonbridge. End of rant. This is why I've decided to write a really quick and short post debating the pros and cons of effectively becoming old, although I am genuinely struggling to find some pros thanks to the above difficulties... hold tight everyone.

The Pros?

• The only pro I'm going to highlight here is INDEPENDENCE: You've got actual real money from an actual real job to spend on actual real things that you actually really want (I'm not including myself in this one... hello unemployment). You can go out to a pub with friends whenever you want. You can vote! You can act all sophisticated drinking cocktails! The list really is endless. 

And the easier part: CONS

• Money: You have to pay for everything. You may still be in a student overdraft. You may have no money (this is where I take inspiration from my dear self). Now adult life gets tricky...
• Hangovers get significantly worse: Perhaps even lasting two days, perhaps made worse by texts and photos (no I will not 'send you a pic') reminding you of the night before. Highly unfair. 
• Unemployment: This one might just be me, but I'm feeling like somewhat of a disaster still being unemployed almost three months since leaving uni. This is a whole other debate, but being an adult no longer means I can simply reply to any 'why don't you have a job?' comments with 'I'M STILL A STUDENT GOD'
• Being ID'd for a drink when you're 21: Not sure whether to take this as an insult of a compliment. Hashtag youthful face
• Shopping: You are now expected to spend money on important things and 'work clothes' rather than all the fun 'student night out' clothes you find on Missguided. Sadface.
• And finally- Judging acceptability: Just how acceptable is it to still be watching Toddlers and Tiaras? And how acceptable is it to want to go on this Helter Skelter?

Sorry if this was a little dull, but I thought I'd keep you all up-to-date on how life is going. Here's a promise that next time will be tonnes more exciting.

If you can think of any more pros and cons that you've experienced since becoming an adult, comment below...

Ciao!

x

Day Five - Tunbridge Wells Food Festival

After a scrabble-filled couple of days stay with my lovely Nan, today I headed off to the Tunbridge Wells food festival, where I ate and drink a hell of a lot of definitely stayed well clear of all the food and drink samples, and had one of the best burger-like things I've ever had in my life. Thought it would make the post stupidly long if I put every single photo separately, so I decided to put them into collages... unfortunately this has cut some of the photos, not least because of my editing non-skills, so apologies for that. It was great to see so many local people enjoying LOCAL produce.

Couldn't find all the producers online, but these are ones I've found so far, and I'll add to the list if I find others:
- Arcade Fisheries (Hastings)
- Elizabeth Santer Creative Catering
- High Weald Dairy (West Sussex)
- Potash Farm (St Marys Platt, nr Sevenoaks)
- Yumptious Cupcakes
- Kieron's Game (Tonbridge)

More important, LUNCH. My Dad opted for a venison burger (seen first,) but I opted for the monstrosity that was pork belly with crackling and apple sauce. I had no idea it was going to be so big, but it was insanely good, so I struggled my way through it.

The food festival is on again down The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells. Well worth checking out if you've got the time.