New Blog!

So, I've decided to change to Wordpress. I will be running a different (better) blog over there. It's www.jessiblah.com if you want to check it out. It will have regular posts (I swear!) on my life, books, my new videos, etc - all the while looking ten times more awesome. Be sure to go check it out if you'd like. There's not much up there at the moment except my portfolio, but next week it will start to be bursting!

Jessica.

I'm a Blogger Now (Again)

In a bid to avoid my horrifically boring and difficult college work, I've decided to restart my blog. I've recently come to love making YouTube videos again - a few months back it began to feel like a chore - so I've decided to give blogging a go again for a couple of reasons. I can't really say that I was into it much beforehand, but after seeing how forgetful I am for one thing (you really have no idea) and how great fellow Krank.ie contributor Vicky Kavanagh's blog is, I've realised that a blog could come in handy.

First of all, I am terribly forgetful. Anybody who knows me in real life will be able to vouch for this. Often I can't commit to plans because "that date sounds like a day where there's something on." Usually there's not, but I may double-book myself one day. Who knows. But anyway, in a bid to stop being forgetful and to start remembering things, I am now blogging. I want to actually be able to remember things in the future, such as what I've done and who I've done them with. 

Journaling wasn't for me, although I did try. I have a journaling* app called Day One on my iPad, which I even set to remind me to write in it twice a day. That didn't work. I've tried vlogging, although editing was always a pain. I have only ever completed a whole of one vlog. I did plan on putting random vlogging footage from the past year up during the summer (I was so excited for my London ones), but my external hard drive broke recently, with everything on it. Devastated is not the word. Now I'll have to restart from scratch! 

My life isn't exactly interesting enough to vlog anyway. Generally I go to college, go home or to my Nanas, go onto the internet and sleep. That's it. I might do some exercise too, but nobody wants to see the sweaty aftermath of that.

The second reason is because I like to write. I write not-so regularly on Medium, but often on my iPad. I may as well use some of that creative energy for things that I can share with the world, right? *...silence...* Well I thought it was a good idea!

So, that's why I'm here. I'm going to blog. Really this is me procrastinating. I've a lot of college work to do and probably not enough time to do it. Silly me wasted my two weeks off for Easter in the ultimate procrastination session. In fairness I did start one essay, I'm on my fourth page of a short story (sure I already had two done but whatever) and I did some work on my YouTube channel, so I'm doing well for me.

Uhm, so yeah. That's it. Bye?

*journaling probably isn't a real word.

Stardust Memorial Park Follow-Up

As promised in my blog post "Stardust Memorial Park," I've some more pictures here for you. These are to show - as my lecturer describes it - the "political aspect" of the park. The political aspect here is how humans have affected the park and the wildlife. I only have a few photos as I mainly concentrated on taking lovely photos of the swans while at the park, but I hope that these will still get the message across.

The park is right on the border of a housing estate. 

These are two swans I hung out with in their littered lake.

Autumn Movies List 2013

Seeing as it's now suddenly Winter again (whaaaaat?), it's time for me to update my movies list. I'm very aware that I haven't done "Movie Night" in a while, but I'm busy so I'll be doing it soon!

To be honest this list is longer than I expected. I thought it would be half the length of the summer one (seeing as I counted summer as May to August and had so much time off) but I only watched four less films. I've watched a few on TV that I never took note of too. It's quite surprising to see the length of the list! Anyway, on with the Winter Movies List!

If you're ever looking for a good movie to watch, tweet me @jessiblah and I'm sure I can recommend a few!

Movies I Have Seen:

1. My Fake Fiance
2. Shutter Island
3. The Tigger Movie
4. You Again
5. Case 39
6. Revenge of the Bridesmaids
7. Paul Blart: Mall Cop
8. Romeo & Juliet (1996) x2
9. Romeo & Juliet (with commentary turned on)
10. The Bounty Hunter
11. My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
12. Serendipity
13. Morning Glory
14. The Back-Up Plan
15. Romy & Michele's High School Reunion
16. The Cider House Rules
17. Celeste and Jesse Forever
18. The Experiment
19. Alice Upside Down
20. Dan in Real Life
21. Gambit
22. It's a Boy Girl Thing
23. Labour Pains
24. 32A
25. Seabiscuit
26. Safe
27. The Perfect Man
28. Never Been Kissed
29. Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging
30. Timecode
31. Blue Velvet
32. The Searchers
33. Winter's Bones
34. Ender's Game
35. Strictly Ballroom
36. The Switch

Movies I Want to See:

1. The Bourne Identity
2. The Bourne Legacy*
3. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging*
4. Shutter Island
5. Life of Pi
6. The Expendables
7. The Experiment
8. Parkland

If you would like to see my summer list, here you go!

* I've seen these already

Stardust Memorial Park

This week I've gotten my laptop back fully fixed which means it's a lot easier for me to update my blog. So get ready for more posts!

Over the weekend for my photography assignment, I took photos in the Stardust Memorial Park. It's in remembrance of all the people who lost their lives in the Stardust nightclub. There was a fatal fire which killed 48 people and injured 214, out of the 841 people that were there. 

I enjoy taking photos because until I get home and look at them, I don't really notice how cool the can be. I figured I'd put up a few of my favourites here.

On Thursday I'll have more pictures of the park up, but they'll be a bit different.

Update on my Life

Hiya!

So I'm quite aware of the fact that I haven't published a blog post in a while. I do have a few 90% finished, but they're not quite there yet.

I've just realised how exciting the rest of my week appears to be. Today it's my aunts birthday (cake *woo*)! My tutorial for today was cancelled too, so I'm off two hours early! Also tomorrow (aka Friday) is a busy day beginning with college - we're doing vox pops! I love doing vox pops. After that I'm meeting up with Christine (one of my favourite friends) and that evening I'll be heading to a different community radio station to meet with the station manager about getting my own Irish show! As if that wasn't enough, on Saturday I'll be heading out to Facebook to work with SpunOut.ie in redesigning a page on their website. That morning could go one of two ways - 1) I'll be doing my radio show as usual on NearFM or 2) I'll be meeting the Minister for Children. I'd like to grill them but to be honest I've no idea about anything in politics. It is something that I'd love to learn more about, so feel free to teach me in an unbiased way!

It's 12:18am and I should be asleep so I may write more tomorrow.

Slán!

Busy Busy Bumble Bee

To begin with, I'm sorry for having no movie night ready for this week. I've been quite busy deciding on how I will proceed with the next year (time-wise and financially). I've officially begun college you see, which has left less time for films, writing, exercise and so on. It's just dawned on me as I'm writing this that it is only Tuesday, and that I have a few half-ready movie nights prepared so I may finish one of them later. If you miss reading what I have to say, I wrote a "oh I'm trying to be funny" article for Krank.ie anseo.

College is interesting. I've met some people who I believe that I will grow to be fascinated by. It's my hope to become a fascinating individual myself by the end of my four years at DIT, but I'll allow you to be the judge of whether I accomplish that. I'm also hoping to learn more about the world, become opinionated (rather than hearing other peoples opinions and often going 'hm, I agree. Yes that's now my opinion too') and to do what is arguably the most important thing in college - get a degree!

Next week I will be joining some clubs and societies. I'm excited to say the least. I'm unsure as to which I want to join as I don't want all of my free time taken up, but it's quite difficult to choose. Meanwhile I'm searching for a job, so feel free to hire me if you wish. I'd really like to work in a pub I think. I don't know why, but I just do.

I feel like I'm whizzing around the place sometimes. All I need to do is buzz like a bumble bee and I could easily* be mistaken for one. I'm figuring out right after I've completed this post when I'm going to start making YouTube videos again. They were fun! I'll keep you posted** on that!

*by a blind person with very limited hearing

** posted, haha! Get it? Posted? Blog post? Not funny? Oh right well ehm... Bye!

Debs + College

On Thursday, the 5th of September I had my debs. This is the Irish version of a prom. I went with my lovely friend Ross, and sat with some of my best friends and their lovely dates for the night. We were dancing too, of course. ;) It was well awesome although the food wasn't the nicest! The debs was held in Vanity Nightclub in Monaghan. It was cool going out of the county for a while!

This is myself and Ross being dinosaur monstery things!

Last Monday I went to another debs. It was one of my best friend Shannon's (not as her date though, as someone elses) and it was great too. I met some truly lovely and charming people. To be honest, it was funny going to what was essentially a school reunion and not really knowing anybody!

 I have no pictures of that night at the moment, but when I do I'll stick them up here! :)

At my debs I won the award for "most likely to be famous." Although I was involved in the voting for the other categories (and may have nominated myself - which is perfectly acceptable), I can assure you that I did not choose myself to win. I got a medal. I'm so proud!

Would that achievement be acceptable for a tv/radio presenters resume? I doubt it, but maybe it would be.

Last Wednesday I 'began' college. It was just an induction day. I'm attending one of the DIT campuses to study Film & Broadcasting with Irish, which sounds exciting. Plus the following afternoon I received my student ID card, in which I look an absolute state. Oh well. Nothing I can do now! It suddenly is just like "oh wow, I'm actually in college" because I received that card. I don't feel like I'm in college, but I'm pretty sure that on Monday morning I will. I'm excited! :)

Movie Night: Monte Carlo

During the summer I picked up "Monte Carlo," which sounds far better than I found it to be. The story follows Grace (Selena Gomez), her best friend Emma (Katie Cassidy) and step-sister Meg (Leighton Meester), as they head off to Paris for what should be the trip of a lifetime. When it all starts to go downhill, Grace gets mistaken for British heiress Cordelia and that's where all it takes a sudden turn. 

Now, in theory it sounds like a great film. If you like the girly, chick flick kinda films it's probably your thing. But I felt like they tried too hard and just put in some of the story to say they went there (for example, basically the whole Emma love-life storyline). "Monte Carlo" concentrates almost equally on Grace, Emma and Meg, resulting in little to no attachment being formed with any of the girls. If "Monte Carlo" had followed Grace almost soley, it could have almost completely fulfilled the potential that the storyline had. 

It threw in a few love stories too which weren't the best either. There was Grace and the son of a philanthropist, who believes she is Cordelia. This could have been exciting and breath-taking, but they settled for average. Also Meg meets a man in Paris and runs into him throughout the film, while Emma is pining over her ex-boyfriend who she broke up with when he proposed. 

There's nothing here that would sweep you off your feet (*sigh*), but not much that is  completely unbelievable either. It's all quite predictable. You could see the twists coming before they even were set up.

The good news? There's a cute guy for everyone (unless you prefer gingers - sorry), but you wouldn't quickly fall in love with them because as with the ladies, there's little depth to be found in them. The film tries to cover so many stories that it takes away from the actual plot line - an ordinary girl is mistaken for a heiress. You would be forgiven if you forget that because so many other stories are told throughout. The acting is okay - Selena Gomez and the late Cory Monteith were the stand outs - but nothing other than a rewritten script could have saved "Monte Carlo."

 Let’s just say it could work as a background noise film, for those nights when you would rather gossip over the film or if you feel like having a laugh at something a bit rubbish.

If you'd still like to buy Monte Carlo though, it's available here.

Summer Movies List 2013

Over the summer I made a list of films I watched to ensure that I missed none for when I start my "movie night" segment. Seeing as it's September now, all the kids are going back to school and summer is officially over. I figured I should start an "Autumn movies list," which will be shorter seeing as August is actually Autumn but I counted it as the summer (and I'll be in college too so less movie time)... but sure be graaaand.

MY SUMMER MOVIES LIST 2013

1. Inception
2. High School Musical
3. High School Musical 2
4. High School Musical 3
5. Did You Hear About the Morgans?
6. The Great Gatsby (2013) x3
7. Titanic
8. Limitless
9. Romeo & Juliet (1996)
10. Grown Ups
11. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
12. Radio Rebel
13. Hairspray
14. Monte Carlo
15. Catch Me If You Can
16. Hannah Montana: The Movie
17. Let It Shine
18. Failure to Launch
19. Princess Protection Program
20. Geek Charming
21. Prom
22. Abduction
23. Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
24. Bring it On: All Or Nothing
25. Uptown Girls
26. Cars 2
27. What to Expect When You're Expecting
28. LOL
29. Grown Ups
30. Bring It On: I'm in it to Win it!
31. The Hunger Games
32. Love Happens
33. The Beach
34. The Princess Diaries
35. Clueless
36. Salmon Fishing in Yemen (only halfway - it's not a great a great movie!)
37. Boy Wonder
38. Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars
39. Drake & Josh the Movie
40. Run Fat Boy Run

Movies I Wanted To See

1. Abduction
2. Taken
3. The Bourne Identity (I tried but wasn't in the right mindset)
4. The Bourne Legacy*
5. The Expendables
6. Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist*
7. Scott Pilgrim Versus the World'
8. Unknown
9. Grease*
10. Supporting Characters
11. The Internship

* seen it already!

So that was a productive summer, right? I failed a little with the "movies I wanted to see" list but there's always next time! If you want to see my Autumn movies list, I'll be updating it regularly here! I've already watched one film this month so it's off to a good start I guess! If you have any recommendations (I've the Irish Netflix) tweet me @jessiblah too. ;)

Music + a Little Bit on Happiness

I've had people ask me before why I'm so happy. I think I can put it down to music.

Music is a great release. When I was younger, listening to High School Musical and the Jonas Brothers just gave me a sort-of a high. My love for the Jonas Brothers inspired me to learn the guitar. Next Demi, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and the likes of all them came along which left me with an overwhelming urge to just live and breathe music - which is what I did.

I remember being 14 or 15, playing around on Mixcraft "remixing" and attempting to learn the piano. It didn't really work, but it was fun to feel like a DJ. I started song writing when I was 10 and I completely sucked. I don't think I wrote something non cringe-worthy until I was 15 or 16, and even then it was pretty bad anyway. Once I wrote a song about snow, and how if filled me joy from my head to my toes or something. I was 15 at the time attempting to write the next Christmas hit. Of course I didn't. Even now if I feel like I'll cringe at something later, I don't finish it and move on.

Although music may not be for everyone, it's good to find a way to release your negative emotions in a safe, healthy way. It's basically necessary in order to live a happy, content life. Exercise works for some too. I feel great for instance on a bike when I'm just pushing myself to do better*. Movies and books can work as you get to escape into a nicer world than your own most of the time. Even watching YouTube videos can help. I've seen many Dan and Phil fans saying how they saved their lives.

Whether it's getting involved in sport (by watching or playing it), drama, doing your makeup or just hanging out with friends; it is vital to know how to detox yourself of those negative feelings. Personally I love being creative and celebrating other peoples creativity. I don't mind which medium they express themselves through - music, films, radio, theatre, poetry, art, photography and so the list goes on. I just believe that expressing yourself is an important thing to do.

Going slightly off topic, whenever I think of having a "normal" full-time job - as a business woman or shop assistant for example - I can't understand how people do it. I just want to be creative and although presenting may not seem totally creative, it is. You help create a radio or tv show. Something like being a Garda or teacher where the job isn't completely the same day in day out seems cool too, but all the paperwork/correcting involved seems too tedious so maybe not. Then again I've never tried it. I would love to try working part-time in a shop or office but I've little experience so it'd be a struggle to get the job, ha!

So that's my little rant for the next while. I'm doing a radio course at the moment and then I'm registering for college next week I think, so it's busy! But it's fun so I'm not complaining. :)

* I crashed into a gate and cut my arm while 'pushing myself,' which didn't feel as great.

Note: When I'm happy I listen to music. When I'm sort-of happy I listen to music. When I'm down, sad or extremely worn out I generally lose my interest in music. Music is my favourite but films and Home & Away have a signinficant importance in my life, so they may cheer me up.

Exam Results + College

Last Wednesday I received my exam results. I got 455 points and an A2 in English - don't ask me how! These exams (the Leaving Cert) are our equivalent of the A-Levels and SATs i.e. the exam results which decide whether or not you're going to uni.

Our system for applying to uni is called the CAO. We order the courses we want in order of preference and then offers for course places are given out five days after our results. In the first round, whatever you are offered is the lowest offer on your list that you will get. If you turn it down would might get a higher offer later on, unless it's your first choice in which you're just not going to college now.

Today is the day where we get offered our college places. My CAO list was:

1. Film Studies and Modern Irish for 410 points

2. Film, Broadcasting and Irish for 415 points

Last month I changed my mind and decided that I wanted my second choice, not my first. But with the points for my first choice lower than my second there was no way that I could get it, especially when I found out that I had gotten 455 points. 

This morning I got my offer. FILM, BROADCASTING AND IRISH! How crazy is that! My first choice went up by EIGHTY points! Wooo! The only thing is that recently the more I thought about it, the more I didn't mind the thought of doing Film Studies and Modern Irish. Although I'm totally delighted that I got the course I wanted, I'm still a little sad that I was rejected from my first choice. If I get offered it later I don't know what I'll do! :/

WOO LIFE!

New Video!

I've finally uploaded my "Project Maths" video. I'm not sure on how I feel about it (watch to see how I need to learn to act sad). It's up now anyway, so sure be grand.

On Saturday I interviewed District 3, who are all lovely guys. The interview will be played on my next radio show and I'll have it written up on Krank.ie hopefully today. When it's up I'll put a link in here!

I went bowling yesterday, and came third! I got 109! It sounds great, but seeing as there was only five of us playing it wasn't brilliant. Plus, in fourth and fifth were my seven and almost-four year old cousins. So ehm... Yeah, well done me. 😝

Oh I'm Tired!

Oh my gosh I've been so tired lately! Just twenty minutes ago* I awoke from an eleven hour sleep! Usually I sleep for seven to thirteen hours, so it's a bit average for me really. Anyway!

Lately I've been writing lots of blog posts but for some reason they aren't being saved (maybe I'm just silly). It gets a bit frustrating trying to write about a movie you didn't like for the third time, so often I just end up leaving it. I haven't done too much this week, but sure I'll tell you about it anyway.

On Tuesday it was my cousin's seventh birthday. I gave him Mario Kart DS and a stylus. The cakes were fantastic! He had two that my aunt made. Then there were fairy cakes (by moi) and rice krispie cakes by my other aunt. Here's one of the birthday cakes:

It had four layers of sponge! Epic!

On Wednesday myself and my friend Katelynne went into town. She had an interview for a job. After that we wandered a little bit as neither of us had any exciting ideas for things to do. A lady stopped us and after a chat we prayed (mhmm). She literally said "did you know Jesus said '__(I didn't catch what he said)__.' Well now we are going to pray. Repeat after me!" It was odd and SO hard not to laugh. I am Christian, but that kinda stuff doesn't happen to you every day!

I tried on Tuesday and Wednesday to make a new video, but I failed both times. Today I will be third time lucky! So I'll have that new video for you later on or tomorrow. :) Now to do my make up - blehhh!

*at time of writing. The post failed to publish so it was actually 12:48 yesterday when this was written.

Summer Plans

Summmmmerrrrr!

Oh how I have longed to be free. This summer I am determined not to waste a single minute (once I've recharged after a super tiring, stressful year). I've so many plans but so little time! So in order to combat this, I've decided to write an updated list of my plans for the summer. This way I will have to do them, as if I don't I'll be a failure.

So let's start off with exactly what I want to do this summer. I would like to:

 - go to Jumpzone

 - do the Croke Park skyline tour

 - cycle in the Phoenix Park

 - visit Mullingar

 - take a chocolate factory tour

 - have seen Shane Gillen's show live

But also, by the end of the summer I would like to be an amazing limbo-er*! And I will be able to run 5km and cycle loads. Plus, I want to have made a short film I'm working on (working title "Gone from the Sun") in which I'll be the lead actress (pray for me to learn to act please). Then there's other stuff too, but they're much more vague so I'll leave them out. Ooh, and I'd like to get good results in my Leaving Cert! But we'll see about that...

*if anyone knows where to buy a cheap limbo set or how to make one, please tell me!

I'd love to have lived in London for a month or so by the end of summer 2014, but let's see how this summer works out first!

Is there anything that you'd like to do by the end of this summer? Comment below to tell me if you'd like! :)

Don't Stress For Success!

From tomorrow until the twenty-first of June, many of us will be sitting the Junior or Leaving Certificate. Here's some ways to keep calm throughout the next few weeks, and a few things to avoid!

5 Ways to Keep Calm

1. Exercise! 

I know everybody says it, and usually I dismiss it thinking "I haven't got time for that!" But come on, look at the weather! Surely you'd rather be out there for half an hour walking, running, cycling or whatever than be inside stressing. Exercise helps to release the stress, and once you go out you want to go back in! So once you get back, that could motivate you to work harder until your next break!

2. Music!

Music can be used a great distraction. Just turn it on and blare it. Once you get caught up in the music, it's like you're in a different world.

3. Watch a Movie!

Movies are a great way to escape at any time, so why not go to the cinemas or throw on a DVD? You can forget about your own worries and be transported into someone else's world. It's a great way to relax and let go of your own fears. 

4. Talk to Friends!

Your friends are going through the exact same thing right now. They're likely just as worried as you are. Together you can calm each other down and just have a good aul gossip too! A problem shared is a problem halved!

5. Believe in Yourself!

You've studied for years. You'd be amazed how many things are up there that you've forgotten you know! But you won't remember them if you don't believe that you can do it. When you're stressing, you're not concentrating your mind on remembering the facts. Take a few deep breaths and breathe. It'll be okay. Just believe you can do it, and you'll get through it all. Hopefully you'll still be able to catch a bit of the sun by the end of it too!

5 Ways to Avoid Stress

1. Don't Make Yourself Even More Stressed

Sure everyone needs a bit of motivational stress, but that's enough! At this stage you should be concentrating on rejogging your memory to remind it what you know, rather than trying to fit a lot of new stuff in there. Every time you try to learn something new, you'll only scare yourself because you didn't know it already!

2. Try to Avoid Snapping

With stress levels at an all time high, it's easy to snap at everyone around you. But they're just trying to help you, and if you snap they might snap back. That'll just annoy you and stress you out more! So if your Mam asks you do you want to take a break, try to understand that she's got your best interest at heart. Everyone just wants you to do your best! 

3. Get a Good Sleep

A good sleep will do wonders for you. It allows you to relax, destress and helps the information sink into your brain. It'll also help you the next day when you're trying to recall the information, as your brain is fully rested and ready to work!

4. Do It

Instead of sitting here stressing, just work on something. Maybe reading the examiners reports on examinations.ie will help, as it'll show you where students often fall down. By going through a paper, it'll help calm you as you can see that you can do it. If there's a question you're unsure on, try it and check the marking scheme. Then you'll know how to tackle it the next time!

5. No Post-Mortems

Once you're, finished an exam - congratulations to you! The best thing to do now is not to think about how it went, especially if your friends are discussing it. It'll only remind you of things that you may have forgotten to say, and you'll worry that you did terribly. This happened in my Junior Cert History. I was convinced I failed after talking it over with friends, and I came out with a B! The exam is done, and you can't change what you wrote. You should now concentrate on exams left and forget about the ones you've done!

At the end of the day - they're just exams. I'm doing the Leaving Cert myself at the moment, and I know that it feels like the world will end if you don't do well. But here's the thing - the world will keep spinning! Your career doesn't define you, and there's plenty of ways to get to where you want to go. Maybe you want to wait to be a mature student, or do a PLC. Even if have to repeat, it's only one extra year to get there. You'll have roughly forty more years doing the job, so one extra year in school won't kill you! Once you know what you want to do, all you have to figure out how to get there.

Now Good Luck! 

Hello!

Hiya!

I'm Jessica. :) I'm known more commonly as jessiblah (seriously, check my friends phones), Jess, Spence, the Milky Bar Kid and sometimes even Jessie. Choose a name and stick with it. Except Jessie - don't pick Jessie. 

I'm 18, and I've no clue as to what I'd like to do with my life. Well, actually that's a lie. I do. I just have a million ideas, so I don't know how to do it all. 

I contribute to Krank.ie, and present a radio show on NearFM every second Saturday. It's great craic.

I've a billion blogs. This one is going to be for thoughts/rants, makeup and music I'm listening to. If you want one that follows just my life in general, here's a blog I share with my friend Ross.

I'm also on Twitter, so that's pretty useful. I'll follow you back too!

If you like YouTube, you can check out my channel. I won't have a new video until the end of June though, as I'm doing my Leaving Cert at the moment.

That's all I suppose. 

Slaaaan,
Jessica.