Two Thousand and Thirteen

2013. 

It looks so weird seeing that.

Never mind actually writing it or hearing it being said aloud.

Although I've got some pretty big plans for me and the Lurch this year, I've got to admit that I'm more than a teeny bit frustrated that we've made it to the magical 2013 without hover boards, flying cars or time machines. Can't help feeling that if I'd grown up with a scientific mind or wanting to be an engineer, I'd have devoted my entire career to making those things happen. Especially given that I grew up with films like Back to the Future!

So here I am, with just a laptop and no teleporter, looking back at 2012 with fondness and a heavy heart and looking forward towards what should be an incredibly exciting year.

And now it's time for me to be incredibly indulgent and nostalgic and share some of my favourite photos of the year that's just left us...

Life lately

Nothing delights me more than getting into clean, fresh, brand new bedsheets. This week saw the purchasing of outrageously bright bedsheets that Mr Valentine has described as "blindingly bright." I'm inclined to agree with him - they're way too bright for my delicate little eyes - but I shall never let him know this. It hasn't all been shockingly bright in my life this week: London has decided to shroud itself in possibly the gloomiest fog imaginable. Normally, I get a fairly decent view of The Shard (the Ugliest Building In The World) from the roof at work yet I haven't been able to see it at all this week. Blessing or curse?

I've been enjoying the simple pleasures lately: the most beautiful scented candles I've ever discovered, a whole heap of books, and a Winnie The Pooh thermal cup that only cost £1! I decided to re-read The Perks Of Being A Wallflower because of the film adaptation and forgot how good it really is. A book that's not so good is Cheryl Cole's autobiography. Yes, it's probably been ghost-written, but it's just so gloomy, much like London's skies recently. For a woman who has so much money and fame, she don't half know how to be miserable. A laugh/joke/smile wouldn't kill the woman. Maybe the Girls Aloud reunion will do her some good?

Oh, and Daisy (my mum, really) got a puppy! He's so lively... literally like Daisy in dog form! They've been inseparable since the moment they laid eyes on each other. I thought Daisy was exhausting on her own, especially now that she's beginning to ponder the possibility of walking. But her and the dog together? Migraine central!

I've been planning some themed posts for the next few months. I'll obviously be doing some insanely Christmas-y posts (as readers of the old blog will now, I'm ever so slightly obsessed with the most wonderful time of the year) and a post (or eight) about Hanukkah, but I'm open to suggestions! I like the idea of themed posts and the like the idea of variety so I look forward to seeing what this venture brings!

Lucky...

So...

There's not much purpose to this post, except that I love this photo of me and my Valentine. 

It's currently decorating the edge of my mirror, along with a few other photos of us.

It was taken on New Year's Eve last year as we stood freezing on Westminster Bridge waiting for the fireworks. We'd spent a good twenty minutes talking to a family of American tourists who were absolutely amazed by how happy everyone seemed that night. Our friends, who are infinitely cooler than us, turned down our pleas to stand next to the London Eye for seven hours and went off to some swanky West End club instead. But I'm glad... we got to take so many silly photos of the two of us and started a Thriller sing-a-long.

It's only October, but this photo has made me so excited for Christmas already. My lists are written, recipes have been remembered, and I'm discovering loads of weird foreign stuff for my weird foreign Grandad.

My Grandad really is the greatest man on Earth.

I love my Valentine and my family. And memories.

Sunshine and Showers Part 1

This week has just been utter chaos for me. But not chaos in a good way. More like "Oh my God this is where I die. Please, my minions, prepare my funeral for me whilst I get busy drafting up my eulogy." Melodramatic? Well, of course. But what would life be without a bit of exaggerated drama? I'll tell you what - boring. It would be boring as hell. And if there's one thing I don't like, it's boredom. So it pains me to say that I have been incredibly bored this week.

It all started on Monday (it actually started last week but it wasn't particularly noticeable then so we'll just fast forward to when it all really kicked in. Which would be Monday) when I thought I had succumb to that annual nastiness known as The Flu (TM). Muscles aching, neck swollen, slight temperature, the works. I travelled to work hating myself for not having had the flu jab yet, and spent my journey from work, well, passing out. And on this point, let me state that commuters are mean. A 21-year-old girl literally passes out on a bus and not one person said a thing. When did we get to a point in this country where people became so self-absorbed that they genuinely don't care one iota about someone else's well being? Commuters make me sick.

So, I stumbled off of the bus and stumbled my way home where I fell into bed and thought that was that. An early night would do me good, right? WRONG. I woke up in all kinds of messed up, genuinely fearing that if I dared to open my mouth it would be my last breath. It wasn't. I was dragged to the doctor by Lurch, who then sent me to A&E where I waited for six hours (SIX HOURS!) to be given a diagnosis. Kidney infection.

I don't know how many of you have had kidney infections, and if you've had one you'll truly recognise what I'm about to say here: Kidney infections hurt like hell. I have never known pain like it in my life. And I never wish to know pain like it again. So, like a good little pill popper, I've been downing the antibiotics, and painkillers, and drinking so much water it feels like my bladder is Little Niagra Falls. It's a nightmare.

Oh, and then I had some bullying at me on the internet. Jeez, those guys suck.

Sisterly Love

For the first two years of my life, I was a happy little only child. Merrily singing along to Funny Girl and playing with my dog without a care in the world. Then, aged two years and eight months (we must be precise) my whole world was turned upside down. I became a big sister.

Suddenly, I found myself feeling like an adult. An actual, real-life adult. Except I was two and barely knew what a baby was, never mind knowing what an adult did or felt like. But there I was, ready to be the best big sister in the world.

Me and Ruby (yes, she's had that name for 18 years. Long before the hipsters jumped on it) were very close as kids. We've influenced each other quite a bit (I've found myself drawn to sketching, which is her thing, and she's found herself drawn increasingly to ballet, which is my thing) and annoyed each other countless times.

Growing up as a big sister has definitely moulded my personality: I'm a forceful, domineering individual who is also fiercely protective and determined to ensure no one hurts my baby sister. I received a further boost to my Best Big Sister pride last November, when my mother crazily gifted the family with this...

Daisy is an amazing addition to the family. It's quite interesting to see how her personality is being moulded by her big sisters (she's loud, dramatic, and incredibly vain. At ten months old!) and I look forward to seeing her grow into her own person. 

It's huge fun and hard work being a big sister. I'm nowhere near ready to be a mum, but I'll never get bored of being a big sister.

And seriously, don't I just have two insanely beautiful little sisters?!

Spark + Mettle

Today, I was fortunate enough to be invited along to an assessment day with the wonderful people at Spark and Mettle for their Star Track programme. It was an unusual day - the mere word 'assessment' had me fearing all sorts of grillings - but it was surprisingly engaging and productive.

I've been struggling all day to remember where I first heard about the programme, and I can't pin down the exact details, but I'm sure it was on Twitter somewhere (since I am always on Twitter). I wasn't fully prepared to apply, fearing that it would be an absolute waste of time - but I did, and I'm so glad I did.

The programme was created to help less privileged young people figure out their dream career. The team - who are called agents (yes, they're that awesome) - act as mentors to the young people, to help them map and launch their ideal future. They're big on flourishing and developing young people and all of it just seemed so exciting to me.

The assessment day filled me with dread - and didn't get off to a great start when I got stuck on a bus in Westminster for half an hour, mentally planning ways to ruin the day of the people who closed Lambeth Bridge - but the team managed to shake off my fears almost instantly. There was a quick "speed networking" activity, which was followed by a group activity, and then one-to-one interviews, and personal pitches. Oh, and tons of free flavoured water. Anyone who gives me free flavoured water is an absolute rockstar.

It seems like an insane amount to fit into four hours, but the day flowed naturally. I met some incredibly innovative and inspiring people and if this is as far as my involvement goes with the programme then I'm glad I was able to meet such an awesome group of people. I also realised I'm not totally awful at public speaking (but boy is there work still to be done there!) so that's one great big massive bonus.

I have absolutely no photos of today (sorry!) but here is the amazing logo for you to daydream at.

(C) Spark + Mettle

More information about Star Track can be found here and the Spark + Mettle info is all contained here.

I honestly cannot recommend this amazing programme more. They truly do have something to fit everyone. Check it out!

Two years

A lot can happen in two years. Two years ago...

• A devastating earthquake struck Haiti.
• The Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted and caused air travel chaos across Europe.
• The vuvuzela was introduced to the world at the 2010 World Cup (which Spain won)
• Wikileaks Mania began.
• We said goodbye to Norman Wisdom, Tony Curtis, Alexander McQueen, Corin Redgrave, and many, many more.
• And this man was an absolute stranger to me...

But then, on September 15th 2010, he walked into my life, and I'm so glad he did.

We've had a tough time, with some truly awful moments, but we've also had plenty of amazing times. It's been a fun, exciting time and I've had so much fun. I've learnt a lot from him and I hope that at least one of my little lectures has sunk into his brain. He's definitely contributed to the person I am today.

 Two years is a long time, but it's gone so quickly. 

This is the first ever picture of us together as a couple.
I don't know why we look so miserable.

Sometimes...

You make some awesome sugar cookies that have to remain plain and undecorated...

Because a certain cheeky monkey instead decides that she wants you to play peek-a-boo.

It was a fun hour.

Hamleys!

One of my favourite things about life in London is the fact that there is just so much for me to do and it's all so incredibly close to me. Yesterday, me and Valentine found ourselves on Oxford Street, and it wasn't long until I was twisting his arm to accompany me on a trip to Hamleys. It's one of my favourite shops in London and there is so much fun to be had there, for kids of all ages! Unfortunately, I had a bit too much fun on nearly every floor that I didn't think to take my camera out. I remembered that I had it once we reached the top floor, just in time for Valentine to play dress up....

A LEGO ROYAL WEDDING!

These giant tins of Drumstick lollies made us very happy!