SO TIRED, BUT SO EXCITED

Last week, I made a decision to attempt to blog every day until I start university.... and it lasted 4 days. That's what happens to creativity and hobbies most of the time... life gets in the way. A sad thought, but very true for something that often doesn't make people enough money to live off (or none at all in my case ha!). When so many people around the world enjoy immersing themselves in music, art and writing that others have shared with them, I am baffled that artists don't make more money.

I've been working a fair bit over the last couple of days, slowly (like, turtle speed) learning how to be a Bra Fitter. Random, i know, but it's a job! (F.Y.I. I work in the 'intimate apparel' section of one of Australia's biggest department stores) There are so many awkward/mortifying/hilarious stories I could share - but that's a WHOLE other post.

The only reason I've accepted extra shifts at work is to fund my upcoming escapades... leading me to the 'so excited' half of the title!

The next couple of weeks look like this -
+ My 18th Birthday (and Party!!!) is on Saturday
+ I'm going to my first Bar/Club with friends that night
+ Orientation Week of Uni starts on the 25th, which will include plenty more outings and alcohol
+ ED SHEERAN CONCERT!
+ Actual University starting on the 4th of March

May I reiterate how excited I am at the moment?!?!?!
Oh, don't worry - I will definitely fill you all in on everything.

Until next time,
Jess

WHAT'S IN MY BAG?

The 'What's In My Bag?' Tag has been a popular post and video that I've seen floating around lately, but it wasn't until I found Anna's blog (TheRosyFreckle) through SprinkleOfGlitter, that I was inspired to do my own version!
I charged up my camera (it's been a tad neglected since I got my iPhone 4 about a year ago...), emptied out my bag and took some photos. I don't really understand why I, and what seems like the majority of the human race, are so fascinated with other people's handbags - but I thought I would share the contents of mine with you all.

My handbag (Mimco - $249) was a very generous gift from my parents for Christmas. I'd been looking for a very simple, black tote with slightly long straps to use for Uni this year, and my Mum just so happened to pick out the perfect one for me!

(Clockwise) Magazine or book, Diary, Makeup/Medication Bag (H&M Paris), Sunglasses, a rogue Fantail (I honestly have no idea why or how it is in my bag), Lip Products, Compact Mirror, Hand Sanitiser, Headphones, Water Bottle (Less Talk, More Water), Hand Cream, Reading Glasses, Wallet (Bluebird), iPhone, Umbrella, Car/House Keys

Soap & Glory Hand Food ($11.95) and Dettol Instant Hand Sanitiser

MAC Lipstick (Hue), Maybelline Baby Lips (Berry), Rimmel Royal Gloss (Candylicious)

Reading Glasses - Maze +, Sunglasses - Sportsgirl

I really do carry way too much in my handbag, and it will only get heavier when I have to start lugging textbooks and notepads around with me. Oh the joys of student life!

I hope you enjoyed a peek inside my handbag. I'd love to see inside yours too, so link me to your version of the tag in the comments!

25 FACTS ABOUT ME TAG

After browsing through some of my favourite blogs (which I should really get around to making a page for or writing a post about), such as Zoella and Sprinkle of Glitter, I've been inspired to do the '25 Facts About Me' tag. Even though nobody really visits my little piece of the internet, nor care about what I have to say, this might be a chance for me to really have a good look at myself and what makes me one weird individual. So, here we go...

1. I hadn't left Australia prior to my trip to France in April last year.... that's 17 years and 2 months stuck in the same country. 

2. I set myself a book-reading target at the start of each year. For 2013, its 50

3. My fear of failure has prevented me from trying new things

4. I love seeing people enjoy food that I have cooked for them

5. Since joining a gym in August 2011, I have lost 20kg and hope to continue becoming happier and healthier

6. I enjoy making new friends, but hate having to be the person who speaks first

7. I topped the year in 5 out of 6 of my HSC (final year of high school) subjects

8. If I find a TV show I like, I have to watch every episode available ASAP (finished season 2 of Pretty Little Liars in 3 days)

9. I have 1 sibling - a younger sister

10. Never had a boyfriend, never been kissed

11. My absolute favourite book is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

12. I'm currently saving so I can hopefully go on a University exchange to the UK in my 3rd or 4th year of Uni

13. I'm obsessed with Nazi Germany and WWII history

14. When I was 16, I had a chunk of my hair died blonde, so I could die it bright colours. I still have about 5 cm of this chunk in my hair (Worst. Decision. Ever.)

15. Anxious about nearly everything

16. My favourite movies are The Notebook, School of Rock, The Help, Crazy, Stupid Love, the entire Harry Potter series, Dracula and anything Tim Burton

17. From the age of 1 to 5, I had a teddy bear named Teddy. My Mum lost Teddy, and she replaced him with a dog who I named Puppy. I still have him, but he now only has 1 arm

18. My sister and I have 1 million nicknames for our Spoodle, Ollie. He pretty much responds to any noise projected in his direction

19. I played Softball for 5 years, and Soccer for 7

20. My first job was at McDonalds

21. Between 2010 and 2012, I saw just under 50 bands live

22. I've never broken a bone *touches wood*

23. There are over 100 things on my bucket list

24. I wish I was more self-confident

25. I want to will publish a book in the future

To whoever is reading this - I dare you to complete this tag as well. Leave a link to it in the comments below, and I would love to have a read!

Until next time,

Jess

ROAD TRIP

Finally finishing one of the most hectic years of my life, which also happened to be my final year of high school, I thought I would have 5 or 6 months of endless free time and boredom before I started Uni. Oh how I was wrong! Since graduating, I have worked quite a bit, caught up with friends and tried to minimise my ever-growing pile of books I want to read. Having not been as relaxed as I would have liked, 5 of my friends and I set out on a road trip/weekend getaway last weekend.

On Friday morning, the 6 of us piled ourselves and our bags in to 2 cars. We set out on our 2nd road trip after Schoolies in November. Having passed my driving test in December, I volunteered my (lack of) driving skills. This road trip happened to be my 2nd time driving on freeways, with the 1st trip ending terribly (but that's a whole other story I'd rather not have to un-repress the memories of). I'm proud to say that I did alright, and managed to get up and back safely!

Despite it being Summer, and having travelled over 200km to the usually sunny, warm and lovely Forster, the weekend was spent mostly inside due to Australia's currently horribly cold, wet weather. However, we still managed to have a great time inside the apartment, passing the time with plenty of eating (mainly peanut M&M's), card games and a Game of Thrones marathon.

There may have also been a fair amount of pleading on my part for a couple of games of Cluedo. In my family, I ALWAYS win Cluedo, so to say it was disappointing that I lost the first two games of five is an understatement. Having not played in a fair while, my detective skills were rusty, and it took a few games to fine tune them once again. But I was victorious eventually! It was also pointed out that I may need to work on becoming a more gracious winner.... Loser's get upset when you thrust your excellent sleuthing victories in their face. Weird, I know!

This weekend was just another frustrating reminder that my current and seemingly responsibility-free teenage life will all too soon be coming to an end. After being offered a place in a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney, I enrolled in the middle of January and will be starting classes in exactly a month. I still have the next month to spend with friends and my family and cherish every moment - including my 18th birthday (FINALLY!!!!!!!). Everything is so exciting, but mildly terrifying, as I attempt to dip my big toe in to the pool of adulthood - although I can't help feeling that there is someone lurking in the shadows, just waiting to shove me in when I am least expecting it.

I'm hesitant to belly-flop straight in, but who knows what great things could be waiting for me once the massive splash subsides?

Until next time,

Jess