Reflections

It's been a crazy one, hasn't it? I'm not going to say I've had a brilliant year, but I'm not going to say that I've had a terrible one either. Let's face it, it's had more ups and downs than the Grand Old Duke Of York, but you can learn just as much from the ditch at the bottom as you can standing at the top of mountains. And sometimes a little bit more. So here's a little bit of a reflection on the things I've learned this year....

This year I made a decision. I made the decision to take my previous twelve months, and re-write it. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make as it meant choosing to do something that had the potential to make me very happy but also to disappoint a lot of the best people in my life. It turned out to be the right thing but it was a scary time for me.

I also got quite ill. Maybe more than once. And I'm not going to lie about it, every moment of it sucked. The first time I was so ill that I couldn't sit my exams, I was barely able to leave the house, I didn't feel like myself and I spent a long time coming to terms with what was actually wrong. The second time I caught some unknown virus that left my immune system very weak and my body exhausted unable to do much more exercise than walk to lectures each day (and sometimes less). But this taught me to be patient with myself. It taught me that if you let people know what's going on, they're usually happy to find a way to help out. That's something I still have a hard time remembering.

This year I ran my first half marathon. I was so proud of myself for completing it,and enjoyed every minute of it. The Great North Run inspired me to carry on, to sign up for bigger challenges, and help others enjoy the sport as much as I do by volunteering with running local running groups, wherever I happen to be in the country. It taught me that self-belief can be as influential as training for big events. It helped me realise that I can do just about anything I set my mind on and that sometimes the biggest obstacles aren't really obstacles at all.

And then I sprained my ankle. Twice. I was annoyed and frustrated to end up in a hospital with a doctor telling me I wouldn't be able to do sport for 4-8 weeks but I'm stubborn I guess. I struggled to rest, but I learnt to respect my body a lot more than I had been doing and that sped up my recovery. In a backward sort of way, it was potentially one of the best things that could have happened to me because when I was able to race again I managed to PB my 5k time on three consecutive weeks.

Disney. I went to Walt Disney World for the first time at the age of 19 and oh my god it was the best place that I have ever been to. I guess it was just magical and taught me to never grow up,  and that  all of your wishes and dreams can come true if only you believe in them hard enough.

And here I am, after another long gap between posts (but lets forget about that for a little while), ready to rock in 2017 and make it the best year yet. Another year full of scary mistakes, and scary decisions, because if we didn't have those, we wouldn't learn. And if we didn't learn, we wouldn't be moving forwards.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

What's going on?

Golly I've not been here for a while - and I've definitely missed it! I'm not going to make too many excuses about my absence, I've just been busy in various forms. So here's a quick update for you...

I've moved back to university in my favourite part of the country (though I'm sure a lot of people say that about their university city). I'm back in Durham and I didn't realise until I moved back just how much I missed the picturesque views, the friendly atmosphere as well as the freedom to be my own person!

Following on from that, I've changed course so technically I'm in my first year again. I'm sure I'll talk more about this in the future when life's a little more certain but in short, I passed the first year of my maths degree but realised I only enjoyed around half of the course and didn't like the look of progression routes. Therefore, I transferred to Natural Sciences, a degree in which I have a lot more flexibility and choice to study particular areas that interest me in more detail (including areas of maths, computer science and even a cheeky little bit of sport!)

Asides from studying I've taken on a few new roles in college which I can't really talk about in too much detail yet, but they're going well and although they're taking up a lot of my time it's super duper amazing to see the effect my roles have on other people. I'm also still doing lots of sport, despite a recent injury, so have been coxing men's boats at local head races (i.e doing rowing stuff and shouting/steering) and will be swimming in a competition at Sheffield in the next few weeks.

I think that's all for now and I can assure you I'll be posting a lot more regularly over the next few months. In the mean time, I'd love to hear what you're all up to so comment down below or leave a link to your blog

Keep smiling,
Kathryn xox

Trains

I'm on a train. Story of my life. I used to really really hate train journeys but I guess I've warmed to them a little. 

I enjoy people-watching at the platform cafes, and feeling as though you're being productive enough to rest for a few hours because you know that you're heading in the right direction. And that's enough for now, right? 

For journeys I take regularly, I like the part of the journey that I can guarantee I will have signal for because it gives me time to call a friend that I've not spoken to for a while. And as for the rest of the free time, being creative, being creative is always lots of good fun. I read and I write and I draw. And sometimes, just sometimes I'll do a little bit of work. But only ever enough to cross a couple of items off that day’s to-do list before reverting back to sleep or creativity. 

But the best sort of train journey is a train journey to the unknown. A train journey to a place that you've never been before or to start a new adventure. Because travelling has given to the ability to open new doors and the possibilities are endless.

Keep smiling, 
Kathryn x

Detoxing

 

I'm currently blogging from Florida and I'm absolutely loving the experience. Disneyworld is such a magical place and I couldn't have asked for a better summer holiday! But be expecting a full post about my holiday sometime in the near future. 

First, I feel as though I have to explain why I've been absent from here as well as my other forms of social media recently. 

I've been taking a bit of a social media and technology detox. I don't mean completely avoiding technology, I've got too many projects, jobs and hobbies that rely on the use of communication across continents (even when I'm at home). I just mean that I've been making decisions about how much time I spend 'just scrolling through Facebook' and 'Snapchatting'. I've made a conscious effort to appreciate the small things, like that book I was saving for the aeroplane or that game of cards I could play with my grandad (admittedly was interesting considering he's VI). I've been spending time appreciating the environment I'm in and making the most of it because the moments in living in right now won't come again.

And all of that sounds so cliche to say but, at a time when I'm not feeling particularly relaxed or calm, it has allowed me to feel at peace. And I can assure you it won't last forever, because my peace never does.

So maybe I've selfishly written this post for the next time I need to find peace, to tell me how I've done it before. Or maybe I've written it for you. To tell you that taking an hour away from social media and the pressures of society, finding enjoyment in your own company and the company of those directly around you, may be exactly the break you need. 

Keep smiling, 
Kathryn xx

My Hogwarts Story

I cannot possibly think of a more appropriate time for me to get the opportunity to talk about my love for Harry Potter and the way that Rowling's work shaped my childhood. I'm currently lay on the sunlounger on the patio of the villa we're staying in, waiting for dinner and planning tomorrow's adventure to Universal Studios in Florida!

I have been tagged by the lovely Megan to answer some questions all about My Hogwarts Story. If you haven't already checked out Megan's blog I'd definitely recommend that you went over and gave it a read - she's definitely one of my favourite bloggers!
And now here goes....

1. Are you Pure Blood, Half Blood or Muggle Born?

 To be honest, this seems like an odd place to start because I hadn't actually thought about it before, but I imagine I'd be muggle born.

2. Which wand chose you and what is it made of?

According to Pottermore, this is the wand that would choose me. And I think it fits quite well, unicorns are quite rare and I am a bit of an oddball

3. Did you take an Owl, Cat or Toad with you?

I think it'd definitely be an owl for me. I like that they're so clever and versatile but don't need to be constantly mothered

4. Where would the sorting hat place you?

According to Pottermore I'm a Gryffindor which I think is probably accurate because I have always been a very determined one but there may be a little bit of Ravenclaw in me

5. What house did you want to be in?

I didn't honestly have a preference, I'd rather be myself and sorted to suit me than feel as though my characteristics needed to fit a certain role

6. What lessons are your favourite and least favourite? 

I have always been interested in learning so would enjoy the wide spectrum of classes that are available to me. I'd really enjoy Care of Magical Creatures and Defence Against the Dark Arts too. Herbology would be my least favourite because I always hated plants in Biology

7. The form your patronus takes is?

I imagine my patronus would be a fox, it just sounds right for me

8. When confronted with a Boggart, what does it look like to you?

A lot of people won't realise this but I'm scareed of lots of things so my Boggart would be spoilt for choice really. I'm pretty sure it would be a combination of failure and rejection though

9. Do you partake in any school sports, or magical hobbies?

I'd definitely try everything (probably with the help of a time-turner) then work out what I enjoy. I really enjoy the idea of trying for the Quidditch team

10. If you have any free time, where would you be hanging out?

I tend not to have free time. I'd have already signed up to every extra-curricular activity on offer and be planning my every second around that but would love to spend the odd weekend exploring Hogsmeade

11. You are most likely to get detention for what?

I haven't ever really had detention but I imagine if I did it would either be some misunderstanding or trying to help out a friend

12. What career do you want after leaving Hogwarts?

I think after studying I'd spend a couple of years travelling, learning about wizardry around the world and then return to Hogwarts to teach

I tag anyone who fancies adding a little bit more magic to their lives.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

I'm going to Disney!!!

Well I've just realised how hopeless I've been with regular updates recently so I'm working on something to sort that out. And right now I'm super busy and sort of uninspired to produce something new so thought I'd go through my draft posts to see if I had anything that I felt I was in the right mindset to elaborate on. But I didn't. What I did find was a blog post I drafted in January that literally sums up how I am exactly where I am right now and I thought that was pretty ironic. I'm not ready to share this with you or explain what I'm up to for the time being, there's so many uncertainties, ifs and buts; by the end of August I'll probably be able to explain the mess that's going on in my life but until then, thank you all for your patience. And here's a little more of an exciting blog post for you...

So if you know me in real life, you probably know that I'm a little bit of a Disney-obsessed nutter. And that's no exaggeration. It often comes as a little bit of a shock to people that I haven't actually been to any of the Disney Parks so this summer that will be changing. I'm so very excited to be going to Disney World Florida for my first trip to America but I'm clueless - I haven't a clue what any of the best bits are and would love to know which parts you all recommend. So comment away!!

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

Just because

Sat on my bed in what can only be described as a not-brilliant mood (kind of upset, kind of annoyed), I've spent a lot of time deliberating over whether or not I should actually write this post because I'm not the sort of person who enjoys going off on a rant. I promise I'm going to keep it as far away from that as I possibly can but I do have some annoyances to express.

We seem to live in a world where we need to justify every decision we make to just about anyone who wants to hear it and I just don't think that's right.

People are nosey, I get it. But when 'I'm sorry but this makes me feel uncomfortable' needs to be replaced with 'I'm sorry but this makes me feel uncomfortable because a long time ago I had this experience where.....' surely it becomes a violation of privacy. And if one day you're not feeling 100% yourself, you have to come up with a full justification because you're just tired/had an argument with someone close/can't be fully cheery every second of every day, then maybe you're just not spending your time with the right people.

But do you know what's even worse? When you have to justify how you react to certain situations. When someone treats you badly and you have to explain exactly which parts of your mistreatment made you feel a little bit rubbish. I'm really sorry, but maybe re-living those moments is just like pushing the knife further in.

And even worse than that, when you give a perfectly good justification but the person quizzing you simply can't take your answer as they've got preconceived ideas that your answers simply don't live up to. Especially when these brilliant preconceived ideas are in support of the person doing you wrong. Yes, I simply love making lies up, it's my favourite hobby. Just for future reference, that's sarcasm. I cannot lie for toffee; the only lie I tell semi-convincingly (well, that's debatable) is 'I'm fine' on occasions when I may not be.

And don't get me wrong, I really appreciate people asking slightly intrusive questions if they have genuine concerns AND want to help but if it's just plain nosiness and gossiping, then they really need to start appreciating your privacy.

From a young age, children are taught to accept 'just because' as an answer to life's tougher questions, so at which point was it that this stopped?

Sorry for the slightly ranty post, I can assure you that I'll back to my normal bubbly self by the time I next post but as I'm sure you've gathered, I'm just not feeling quite 100% right now. No justification needed.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

My Etsy Store

My chronic inability to sit still for more than five minutes has led to me exploring several creative outlets over the past few weeks and one of those has been sewing. 

I find something quite therapeutic about generating an idea and bringing it to life using my own hands. So I've been creating lots of things and one of these is fabric bunting. 

I've been enjoying it so much that I decided to set up an Etsy store to share this with others. You can completely customise it by picking length, colour schemes and patterns so check out my store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KatsCraftss

Keep smiling, 
Kathryn x

Being busy

I have this thing. I can't not be busy. It doesn't work for me. If I have a commitment cancelled, I spend five minutes 'chilling' as people tell me I need to, then feel the need to do something productive. And it's not even like I'm bored or anything, I just need to be making the best use of the time I have. 

For the most part, I've learnt to embrace that about me. I'll be the first to admit that it certainly has its advantages; I've always been very motivated, enthusiastic and I've been told that my time-management is fairly impressive. But I was talking to a friend early last week (most of my blog posts originate from sparks in conversations with close friends) and she said 'Kat, when do you just rest and do nothing?' And my response was something along the lines of 'nothing sounds dull and unproductive'. 

Now I know I have smart friends, and what she went on to say holds plenty of value. It really is important to take some chill time by yourself. Just half an hour of watching useless television or and giving your body time to recover itself can actually help you to be more productive in the long run. And sometimes, if that half an hour extends into an afternoon or whole day, then odds are, your body definitely needed it. 

 So that's something I'm trying to learn. And it's ridiculously hard, especially for something that sounds so easy, but it's important. Keep looking after yourselves! And if you want to teach me to chill, then go ahead! 

Keep smiling, 
Kathryn x

Bucket list

I've wanted to do a post about my bucket list for a long time and it has been a work in progress for probably just as long. There are so many things I want to do with my life so here goes...

1. Visit all 7 continents

2. Save a life

3. Go to university

4. Pass my driving test

5. Donate blood

6. Get a job 

7. Visit Disneyland
8. Win an event at a regatta
9. Learn to row
10. Visit a friend abroad
11. Go skydiving
12. Write a book
13. See the great barrier reef
14. Sleep under the stars
15. See firefly squids
16. Ride a horse
17. Go to America
18. Go to a festival
19. Learn to play the piano better
20. Take a gap year to go travelling

And I'm 100% certain that this list will continue to grow much faster than the rate at which I complete things. Let me know in the comments if you have any of the same ones/what's on your bucket list.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

My May Playlist

I thought I'd share with you a little of what I've been listening to this month because I always enjoy my music but often have quite a diverse taste might be able to introduce you to a little bit of music that you're not necessarily already familiar with. Enjoy!

Tom Rosenthal - Middle of My Mind

Billie Marten - Bird

twenty one pilots - Migraine

Tracy Chapman-Baby Can I Hold You

Ruth B - Lost Boy

Defying Gravity - WICKED the Musical 

Here Comes The Sun - Dodie Clark cover

Shake It Out (Acoustic) - Florence and The Machine 

SafetySuit - Looking Up

First Aid Kit - Stay Gold

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

I'm a free elf

I had my last exam of first year yesterday and that in itself is absolutely terrifying. I'm a third/quarter of the way through my degree depending on which course I pick and the year has absolutely flown by. It's been the best year of my life to date and a pretty big adventure.

I've spent the last few weeks pretty isolated in a horrible little bubble of stress, panic and revision but the end of exams puts an end to this too! I feel like a house elf who's just been given a sock - I'm a free elf! The term isn't over for another 4 weeks and I've got some very exciting stuff planned. Basically I get bored of things like Netflix way too easily and wanted to keep myself very busy. So keep a look out for more blog posts, and other exciting things coming your way shortly.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

Liebster award

I didn't really think that a blog award was something I'd ever be nominated for but guess what, it happened!! 

Firstly, I'm going to thank the lovely Megan (http://megangoodier.blogspot.co.uk) for nominating me! We both started blogging at almost exactly the same time and we've been reading each others blogs from the start. She really is brilliant and I think you should all go and check her out!
Now for the questions...

1. What's the inspiration behind the name of your blog?
I've always enjoyed writing, but not being told what to write so I'd spent a lot of time thinking about starting a log. One day I was sat down thinking 'Imagine how great it would be to have a space of my own to just write. Imagine that Kathryn. ImagineKathryn. BINGO!' And I never looked back.

2. If you could be one of the Seven Dwarfs, which one would you be and why?
Happy because how fab would it be to be happy all of the time, or Dopey because I have my dopey moments. Fun fact, did you know that all of the dwarfs have the same eyebrows except for Happy

3. Twitter or Instagram?
Instagram, always. I've never been a fan of Twitter but got it recently purely for JCR banter at university and, for me, that is it's only use.

4. Who is your favourite music artist/band?
I have such a varied taste in music and it makes this really difficult to answer, but right now I'm really enjoying TwentyOnePilots

5. Describe yourself using only 3 words
Altruistic, organised and good-crazy

6. If you could have a dinner party with three celebrity guests (dead or alive) who would you choose?
The Mad-Hatter, and if that couldn't be done, Johnny Depp. Elizabeth Blackwell, she was the first female doctor and Marie Curie

7. If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Everyone knows I love travelling, everywhere and anywhere but somewhere I've not been before. I'd be very keen to visit Australia, New Zealand or to tour Asia. America would definitely have been top of the list until we booked our summer holiday

8. What is your favourite film?
It varies from time to time but right now I'd have to choose Lilo and Stitch. It's definitely my favourite for revision procrastination

9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Golly, I'll be 29. I'll (hopefully) have a degree, will probably have seen a lot more of the world through travelling, I'll definitely have a job and hopefully it will be one I enjoy. It's scary

10. Name three of your favourite blogs to read
Easy.
My favourite Nutmeg http://megangoodier.blogspot.co.uk/
Amelia and Grace http://www.mandevillesisters.com/
Carrie Hope Fletcher http://carriehopefletcher.com/

Hope you've learned some new things about me!


Questions for my Nominees
1. Talk about the moment you decided to create a blog. Why did you decide to do it?
2. Quiet night in with a few friends or loud night out with lots of friends?
3. What is your favourite Disney film?
4. Do you have a place that brings back childhood memories?
5. What are you looking forward to most about summer?
6. What is the most challenging thing that you've ever done?
7. What was your first job and did you enjoy it?
8. You've got one day of freedom. No costs for travelling. Where would you go, with who and what would you do?
9. Would you ever start a YouTube channel
10. What is your favourite sport

The Rules:
Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
(Copy and paste the Liebster Award badge to your post)
-Nominate up to 10 new bloggers
-Answer the 10 questions the person who nominated you asked you
-Notify the bloggers you have nominated by leaving them a comment on their blog
-Create 10 new questions to ask the bloggers you nominate…

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

Stressed...sorry

I'm afraid that there's not going to be any prizes for guessing the content of this post. It's going to be a little apology...

I've done that thing again. That one where I agree to a little bit too much, and I don't quite have enough time to do it all, and then the stress of exams just gets on top of me a little bit. So here I am, still working, with an exec report to write and revision to do at gone-midnight knowing that I have to be up by 6am to coach a rowing outing. Which is all fine, because things always work out the way that they're meant to in the end. But for now, I do have to be a lot more careful and aware of my time.

I'm still here to reply to comments, and I'm still working on a lot of content but that content is going to take a little while to appear because exams are only temporary but they have a lasting effect and that's where I need to focus all of my energy right now. In other news, I have a super exciting summer planned and can't wait to be free from all of this stress to share it all with you!

I hope you're all well and understand why I'm not here right now. I am sorry. I will definitely be back soon and in the meantime...

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

Why I'm not on a gap year

If you know me, you probably know that I thrive on adventures and new experiences. I love to explore new places and see things I've never seen before. It then comes as a bit of a shock to people that I haven't taken a gap year. And that's quite understandable because I'd love to spend a year travelling and I'm pretty sure that I come across that way to others. So I thought I'd talk about my reasons for not taking a gap year, and just general travelling for a little while...

I've always know that I wanted to go to university to gain qualifications and life experience, to learn new things, and to have as good a chance as possible for my future. I was also pretty sure I wanted to study maths (whether or not that still stands is a different matter) and the very well respected universities that I was aiming for often overlook applicants for maths that take a year out due to a break in studying so that was also a major influencing factor. And this has worked out to be a good thing as my university offer to part fund travelling as part of personal development. Also, I'm not sure I was mentally ready to be in such unfamiliar surroundings and moving out has provided me with the confidence as well as helping me to gain skills that I couldn't at home.

Money. Do I really have to explain this? Being alive costs money, university costs money and the student loan doesn't cover very much for me. Not least, travelling costs money too, especially if I'm going to make the most of it. Leaving travelling for a few years means that I'll be able to have a couple of summers cramming in the hours at work for a more worthwhile trip.

When I went to Ghana, there were things I saw that were upsetting, things that I wanted to change. 

I saw children being beaten for tripping on uneven ground. I saw male teenagers with additional needs in Minnie Mouse shorts saturated in wee and staff that didn't care about it. I saw babies crying in cots because they didn't receive any attention; then when I picked on up to comfort her I was shouted at by the matron for showing care and compassion. 

I don't have to power or resources yet to do these things, returning now I wouldn't have the skills to make a lasting difference; only to make a difference while I'm there. So I've done research into educating the staff on health and social care, I'm trying to collect together books and equipment to teach them about various special needs. But I don't still don't think I have everything ready to do this. I want to gain experience and to take that experience to have the ability to make a larger difference to the world. 

So I've not written off travelling, in fact, quite the opposite. It's on my list of things I want to achieve in the next five years, (and yes, I am one of those control freaks with lists about lists). But for now, I'm gaining experience and saving up so that I can make the adventure as special and worthwhile as possible. 

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x

Things that make me happy: part 2

A while ago, I wrote a blog post called ‘Things that make me happy’ and I really enjoyed sitting down and thinking about exactly that. But the list I wrote then wasn’t exhaustive and I thought it would be nice to extend that list and write a part 2, because it’s important to think about the things you really enjoy doing yourself and making time to include these in your busy scheduele.

                Cute coffee dates with friends                                         Personal achievements

                                                                     New challenges

                               Travelling                                                                Long days    

                    

Blue and yellow (Prize for anyone that guesses the reason for this correctly down below)

                 Skyping long-distance friends                                Making other people happy

                                                           Late night herbal tea chats              

                              A handwritten letter                                                Scrapbooking

I’m pretty sure there’ll be a follow up to this post at some point, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear what’s on your list.

Keep smiling,

-Kathryn x

Durham Fire and Ice

One thing I really enjoy is exploring my surroundings. I love that sense of adventure, the sense of being able to appreciate the things around you in a way that many other people are too lazy to do. So one Saturday morning, whilst most people I knew were happily curled up in bed (albeit it being around 11 o’clock) I wondered down the street to see what seemed to be attracting so many visitors into the city centre. 

What I found in our city centre where several beautifully carved ice sculptures as part of an event called ‘Durham Fire and Ice’ and I guess I just wanted to share my pictures with you.

It was so lovely to appreciate something that brought many tourists to my home and a fantastic revision break. Would definitely recommend a visit in future years!

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x