Tuesday 30 March 2010

Teitur Review

So I was intending to write an entry about the amazing Teitur gig, but instead Rachel has written a piece that is probably miles better than what I could have come up with. For starters she actually knows the names of the songs he sung that night. Anyway, shuffle on over to workyourmagic.blogpot.com to read her superb review.

Wise Words

Some people are unreasonable, illogical and self-centred. Love them anyway. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway. If your are successful you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty makes you vulnerable. Be honest anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People really need help but may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked back down. Give the world the best you've got anyway.

Saturday 27 March 2010

My Own Personal Lullaby

I went to see Teitur last night, and fully intend to write about it, but right now I don't have the words to describe it. So instead I'm going to share a song I should have shared a long time ago.

Between the last blog and this one, I got sucked into the Twilight saga. I kind of wanted to see the first film when it came out, but didnt. I wasn't that bothered, I hadn't heard all the hype about it I just heard that it was popular/good. Anyway, this year my friend invited me to watch New Moon. I told her I couldn't go because I hadn't seen the first one, she persevered and said she would lend it to me. Again I avoided saying I'd rather read the book first. So she lent me the book. In a moment of boredom one saturday I picked it up and started reading. I had finished it by tuesday. Long story short, I read all four within a couple of months. I've since found an unpublished incomplete rewriting of the first book from the perspective of Edward, called Midnight Sun, which you can find on Stephanie Meyers website. I've nearly finished that too, and am quite sad because it doesnt go up to as far as the scene in the meadow before it ends (she refused to finish the book after it was leaked).

Anyway, what does this have to do with a song you ask? Well, in the first book, one of the significant scenes involves Edward playing a song he composed for Bella while he was watching her sleep before she knew he loved her, often referred to as Bella's Lullaby. Once plans for a film were confirmed, rumours started about which song would be selected to represent Bella's Lullaby. One that was hotly tipped for a while was the song I am going to share with you. In fact it didn't end up on the movie soundtrack (an original composition was made), but a lot of fan videos still exist on youtube if you look for them.

The song is called River Flows In You, and its a truly beautiful piece of piano music performed by a Korean composer called Yiruma. I've since found some of his other pieces and many of them are just as beautiful, although this one still remains my favourite. I often listen to it as my own lullaby, to help me drift off to sleep. Enjoy

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Exam Results & Graduation Pack

Today I (finally) got my exam results back. I'm very very happy. I pretty much knew what all but 2 of them were. One of those two I knew was to be my worst mark, and as I'm taking 13 modules when I only need 12 my worst mark won't count towards my final grade. So it was just the other modules I was waiting to hear about really, and that was a bit of toughy that could have turned bad. As it happens I did pretty darn well in that too :) I need an average of 64% this year if I want to come out with a 2:1 overall. As it happens my average is 66%! If you don't count virology, its 69%!! So long as I keep this up, then fingers crossed I should be getting a nice degree certificate come july.

As for graduation, we received our graduation packs today. Its kinda hit me now that in just a few months I will be graduating. I obviously always knew that I would be, but this is still going to be one of the proudest days of my life. Its been quite a struggle to get to this point. The first year of uni was pretty bad and I'm glad I stuck it out. I think it will be a really nice way to end my time here. Our graduation ceremony will take place in the cathedral (which is on the hill that overlooks the campus, and the whole of Guildford really) and then there will be high tea in the marquee which I'm assuming will be on the PATs field. All this takes place on the 15th July, and then I think of the friday we will have grad ball - a massive night long party to say a final farewell to surrey and the people I've met here. Not exactly sure what it will like this year, but usually there is fareground rides, a live band, numerous DJ's etc and then an afterparty down by the lake. And since I've lost so much weight, I'm having to have my dress for the ball in second year taken in! It should be a really nice end to what has been quite a big year for me :)

Weekly Weight Update

I lost another 1.5lb! I'm quite stunned to be honest. I really didnt think the scales were right last week, and was expecting a gain no matter what I did this week. But to lose that much means I must have been doing something right. To be honest I've been rushing about quite a lot the last few weeks, ducking in and out of the lab when I get time, and so eating (and more importantly planning and preparing what I eat) has run wild a bit this week. Evidently my running round like a headless chicken has helped though! Only another 3 pounds to lose before I reach my 3 stone mini-target!!!

Sunday 21 March 2010

Lose Control

I began following Miro, the Bulgarian entry for eurovision, on twitter recently, and he shared his video for Angel Si Ti on friday. I was mighty impressed. Bulgaria seem to be really going for it this year. I'm hoping for an impressive stage design to back up one of the stronger songs in this years contest.



I've also been checking out some of his earlier stuff on youtube. I like this nice ballad-ish song called Avgust e Septemvri, which I believe means August is September. You can't wrong with a nice guitar solo to finish things off. Its nice. He's also looking rather nice. Not sure about the trenchcoat mind you...



In the two videos above he kind of reminds me of my Finnish friends Slovenian boyfriend. Probably only because of his eastern europeaness and facial hair. And my Finnish friend certainly doesnt agree (she thinks he looks more like Gerard Butler...)
Anyway, in the third and final video I'm going to show you, he most certainly does not remind me of said Slovenian! Its a bit raunchy, but from what I've managed to translate its actually a love song :/ Its called Gubia Kontrol, or Lose Control.

Thursday 18 March 2010

Weekly Weight Update

I lost another 3.5lb. I know that should make me happy, but it just makes me nervous. Thats half a stone in 2 weeks. And I haven't been that good. I've had to eat out loads this week due to a busy busy schedule. So perhaps that busy schedule burnt off some of the calories? Plus I normally weigh in jeans and weighed in a light dress last night on an empty stomach (I normally eat before I go too). So am planning to be an absolute angel this week to make sure I don't put it back on again (and might weigh in the dress again!).

Monday 15 March 2010

That Sounds Mediocre to Me

I realise that I haven't yet given my opinion on the UK's eurovision entry. I can't say I'm overly impressed. The intro grabs your attention, but doesnt hold it past the first chorus. Its just lacking that punch. And its very dated - we're in the 10's now, not the 90's. But I read today that due to the huge amount of critism, they are going to revamp and tweek the song to try and improve it a bit. Is it too much to hope for a key change?

On The Mend

I've been feeling like I've been heading for a breakdown since saturday morning really. Been a bit of a train wreck. But today (well, just a few hours ago really) I turned a corner. I have done the washing up, I am planning to tidy my room shortly. I also regained some of my self-respect. And I helped out campaigning for my dear friend and ex-housemate Diana to be elected VP Welfare. Voting for the student union positions opened today, and so have been out in my red t-shirt giving out flyers to passers-by trying to get people to vote for her. And not just because she is my friend, but because I genuinely believe she would make a good VP Welfare. But thats made me feel good, to do something for a friend. I think I'm beginning to work my way out of my rut.

Anyway, because I'm helping Diana to campaign, it means I can't do my radio show for the next two weeks (conflict of interest, the radio station has to remain impartial). It will be weird to be listening at home without being there myself. But good luck to Rachel, I know it will be a great show :)

Sunday 14 March 2010

Warning

It appears I may have had a minor breakdown last night. Still not sure what caused it, but ended a bit messy. Got drunk, blew my diet, had a mini-disco in my room, and then had a number of embarrassing facebook status's. Still, hopefully its out of my system now. I think the stresses of final year are getting to me...

Thursday 11 March 2010

Eurovision - Your Decision!

As you may have read over on Rachel's blog, I am off to watch the recording of Eurovision Your Decision tomorrow night at the BBC studios! We will also be watching the pre-recording of the professional performances, which include the sugarbabes and Alexander Rybak!!! I know I'm not his biggest fan but its still quite cool. Another europop star to add to my 'seen live' list, which is actually quite substantial now :) Look out for me and Rach on the telly - I'll be wearing a white top with a black flower pattern and she'll (probably) be wearing her white top with pink zerba's :)

Weekly Weight Update

So, I know I forgot to do my weekly update last week, but that was mostly because I was too busy and because I put on a pound :( I deserved it that time, but it still didnt make me feel any better. Actually, I was feeling very down about the whole thing and just about ready to give up. But for some reason I got my mojo back on monday, and was good as gold. Also for other girly reasons I was hopeful for a weight loss this week despite a naughty weekend. And I was right! I lost 3.5lb, waaaay more than I expected (or deserved). But that cancels out the 3.5lb I put on in the last two weeks (most of which was undeserved also). So very happy :) I definitely have my mojo back, and am determined to lose another pound this week so that I can finally get that elusive 2.5 stone award!!! Fingers crossed!

Monday 8 March 2010

iExhibition

No, it isn't anything to do with Apple. The i stands for international. The iExhibition is the main(ish) event of the iFestival at our university, which is a week long (2 week this year I think in fact) celebration of the diverse cultures represented by various clubs and societies here at the university. In the union building Rubix tonight there will be stalls from the different societies representing its country and providing info and free food :) This year there is even rumoured to be Meerkats and Snakes! How that relates, I'm not entirely sure, but I hope its so.

Anyway, this event has a special meaning for me and Rach as it is where we first took the decks two years ago to provide some euro beats for the evening. And we will be DJing live again tonight. One of the best things about doing the show is to be able to hear our favourite tracks through a decent sound system. Hearing it blaring out of the union speakers is even better! I can't wait :)

Sunday 7 March 2010

WW and ESC

I haven't posted on here in a while. Its been a crazy busy week, with me being out for one reason or another (not all fun, I can assure you). I put on weight again last week, and I went home for the weekend where I ate out all day saturday, so no doubt put on weight again this week. Ho hum. Off to gym with my friend for the first time in weeks on tuesday to see if I can get my mo-jo back.

On a happier note, I'm getting into eurovision again. I'm moving away from all the Scandi countries for a change. I'm looking forward to hearing what Estonia choose, and am pleased with some of the songs I've heard from Croatia, Slokavia and Bulgaria. In fact, I'm liking Croatia a lot, which is odd for me, since they've always been one of my most hated contestants. But this song is quite good. Just depends if they can pull off the vocals on the night...