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!