#58 Throw a Themed Party (/go to a themed party)

So a year ago today (or yesterday as the case may now be) my friends and I were all awaiting the A-Level results that could potentially change the direction of our lives over the course of the next few years.  365 days later, A-Level results night is holding a massive street foam party where you have to dress up like Noah's Arc! I couldn't miss it! So I had to apologise to my dad to rearrange us seeing Brave, and instead went about making a mask for the night.

I decided to go as a raving raven, carefully painting on strokes of blue, white and black, before grabbing the glue gun and smothering it in feathers!

 The three of us ready to go out, as a peacock, unicorn and raven.

We spent most of the night right underneath this huge foam blaster. At more than one point i couldn't see anything, just a haze of white. It also didn't help much that it got in you're eyes and really stung. But we had such a good night! Jumping around and throwing foam at everyone! It was up to our waists most of the time

This is us by the end of the night, completely soaking and covered in foam. 

Then I spotted a police officer....

Or two...

All in all a fantastic night! We were the most dressed up there too. I guess most people assume on leopard print belt or some zebra shoes are enough! But we went there! Ever hugged a police officer or had your own themed night? I'd love to know how far you went dressing up!

105# Start Running Again

I don't know how many out you have ever heard of something called an Iron Man, at least I know I certainly didn't until my dad started training for half of one. A Half Iron Man is one of the toughest, long-distance marathons in existance. It consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile (marathon) run. To put it in perspective, to finish this race properly with months and years of training, a good time would be eight hours....EIGHT HOURS! Which is why I am especially proud of my dad for completing it, (and in just under eight hours ;), don't be decieved by the time on the clock ). So in his honour, and mine, I have started running again. I'm really enjoying it so far, and starting slow. I'll keep you updated how it goes.

What do you think your greatest achievement is? Or what has someone you admire achieved?

88# Get A Summer Job

So I set myself the goal of getting a summer job, which although not the most glamorous or exciting thing in the world, is a nice milestone to make. Scraping pennies together for my first year of uni and a diet that consisted way too heavily of baked beans was... interesting. But I thought that having some extra money would really help and I couldn't do nothing all summer. Luckily enough for me, with enough CV's, I did get a job at a carework company. Only problem was working from about 6:30 Am to 10:30 PM for a month pretty much killed me and I had to leave after only a month. I won't forget the experience and the lovely people I met whilst doing it though. It was really inspiring to have the unique privilege to explore other people's lives. But I can safely cross this one off my list.

What was your first summer job? Or first ever job? Mine was actually working at a hairdressers but I don't like to count it because it only lasted a few days.

I'm Back

Hi guys! Did you miss me? I'm back. I decided it's been way too long since I've had a look at my good old bucket list and I'm raring to tick some things off. I've already booked for giving blood in two weeks, reading my next classical book To Kill A Mocking Bird, going paintballing and organising a themed party! Wish me luck :D and hope you're all well!

Chocoholic xx

#53 - Know phone number off by heart

I finally learnt it yay! How long have I had this phone? Since last Christmas. So it's taken me the best part of half a year to learn. Hahaha! The things you just don't get round to eh? How's everyone's summer going?

I Have A Dream...

I was reading up about the books on my booklist the other day and stumbled across one I wrote down a little while ago, which was the '4-Hour Workweek' by Tim Ferris. I got really excited about some of the concepts so -as you do- instead of waiting for the book (currently at the library but can't pick it up yet), I went and had a good look online for more stuff about him and what he teaches. One thing that really stood out to me was this list he had, in which he listed 5 things of each that he dreamed of; Having, Being and Doing. And I thought, what a great idea! 

When you look at a lot of people's bucket lists (like mine) you can usually see some crazy stuff like 'Milk a Cow' or 'Plant a tree' and while yes, it is good to be a bit crazy...Would you die happy if you'd done nothing else but milk a cow and plant a tree? I just get the feeling that in the process of making a bucket list, we're trying to do so much stuff a lot of it ends up being the smaller things. 


So here's the solution! I've written done my having,being and doing dreams that excite me the most at the minute, and the plan is, every year I'm going to try and accomplish (or work hard towards accomplishing) at least ONE of these things. For example, say I decided that this year, I'm going to get a Scuba Diving License, (or put all my money into getting one soon etc.). That's pretty exciting! And it means that whilst I'm working toward these HUGE goals, I can have fun in the mean time with the smaller goals, and still feel I'm accomplishing loads. And each time I do one, that's a "dream completed" and I can pick another thing to replace it.


Because seriously, when someone asks you what you did last year, it sounds more impressive to say you funded your own week trip to Italy, than milked a couple of cows, and went to a spa. 


Current 5 Biggest Things I DREAM of:

HAVING:
1. A Scuba Diving License
2. A Fiat 500 or Mini Cooper
3. A Passive Income
4. A Home That I Own
5. Read 200 Greatest Films and 100 Greatest Books

BEING:
1. Able To Revise/Learn/Work Efficiently
2. Able To Speed Read
3. Fluent in German and Italian
4. Financially Secure
5. A Great Cook
(6) Able to spend more time with family/friends

DOING:
1. Going on holiday to Italy for a week (with a friend)
2. Paragliding
3. Skydiving
4. Going up in a Hot Air Balloon
5. Getting Fit (specific...?)


Now I just have to pick one and figure out how I'm going to do it.... hmmmm

#73 Get a piece of art into an exhibition

I thought this one would be really hard to achieve, but it turned out that I didn't have to do anything more than finish my final piece of A-Level Art when we all got the opportunity to select a piece to put into this exhibition. I didn't have high hopes of getting in and I also had no clue whether this was a big or small exhibition, for all artists or just our school or what. But I submitted a piece anyway and I got in! Along with only four other pieces from my school!

What I did not expect was as I was walking up the stairs to the room to see my butt-ugly gothic thing staring me down from the front door as a horrible fear gripped me even more when I realised almost every other painting was a calm and beautiful watercolour...And mine was just...that. So deeply embarrassed (for I also had brought my mum and dad and a friend along, it was a private pre-exhibition for the artists) I didn't even tell them which was mine. Hell I barely looked at the thing just in case they would happen to look at the huge name tag next to it.

What I FURTHER did not expect, was after 10 minutes of looking at these brilliant pictures for the manager to clink his glass and to gather everyone up for a speech. He then announced something like, "Before I begin, I wish to point out this piece (to which I begged he was motioning to the one next to mine) and ask whether the artist is in the room. I waited a few dreaded seconds as everyone looked at each other before squeaking up from the back "You don't mean the corset do you?". To which many chuckled as I turned bright red and was ushered to the front.

I then tried to smile from my tomato face as he continued to say that my particular piece has caused much controversy and sparked much debate and conversation (to which I thought, if it was such a big problem then why stick it RIGHT BY THE FREAKING DOOR!?) and then stated that that was in fact something that all artists strive for and many do not achieve, especially at my early age. And that I should be very proud to have created such a stir or emotions. And then everyone clapped!

I then enquired if I could go back now, and scuttled back off the the back of the room, shaking and not quiet realising what had happened, further shocked when my dad turned to me and demanded 'Is that one really yours?". To which I meekly replied that it was, and he told me that it was amazing and absolutely brilliant - when I thought he'd hate it!. Still shaking and finally catching up, I tried desperately to stop shaking, stop blushing and stop looking so terribly smug.

It was such an honour to have achieved this great status, and making my ego even bigger only then proceeded to talk about two further pieces of work before thanking everyone for coming. A few people then gave me a few congratulations, one came and asked me if my friend's piece of work was on sale - to which I never knew that offers could be made-, and said I was sure she could contact the school and ask.

I'm pretty sure this isn't the sort of thing anyone would want in their home so I'm not going to hold my breathe for offers haha. But if anything, out of this hard and tiring A-Level I have achieved something that apparently most cannot. Phew! What a day. Oh! And have a look at my new book list blog if you've got time, thanks guys :D

(The tag behind it states "Elyse Gymer, 18: Black Swan inspired Corset) (like the movie?)