Summer Reading: All the Bright Places review

One of my absolute favourite parts of summertime is spending copious amounts of time reading; and I mean everything, books, magazines, journals, blogs and articals. Absolutely anything. Despite rationally knowing its good to take a break from studying, I find it so hard during the term time to sit down and focus on reading for pleasure. There's always a tiny little part of me that thinks I should be doing something more 'productive' - whatever that is!

Anyway, I tend to resolve to read more during the summer (as you'll know if you've been with me for a while) but I had exams to sit last summer due to illness during the official examination period. This year, however, I have been delivered the prospect of a fabulous almost care-free summer with plenty of free time and endeavor to spend a lot more time reading so I'm keen to share the highs and the lows of it with you.

The first of my big summer reads was All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven and, having seen a handful of reviews, I had great expectations built up about this book. The novel tells the story of two contrasting characters Violet and Finch, who meet unexpectedly meet on top of their school bell tower with both characters contemplating suicide. We travel with these characters on a journey involving several small road trips as well as their own individual more abstract journeys: Violet and her journey through grief, and Finch's journey through mental illness.

All The Bright Places is gripping from the get-go and I was unable to put the novel down from start to end. I was constantly curious to know what would happen next and shell-shocked to find myself shed a few tears (quite a sight on a sunbed I believe) in the final chapters.


I found that the novel portrayed some important and thought-provoking messages including the idea that you can love someone unconditionally, but you still can't always save them. It also addressed the issue of mental health in a way that is (in my experience) understandable and realistic.

On top of this, I read All the Bright Places whilst on a family holiday and immediately after finishing it, I recommended it to my younger sister who really doesn't enjoy reading. She managed to get through the book in a record-breaking 6 hour time period and was absolutely hooked, then decided she really enjoys reading after all. So thank you Jennifer Niven.

I'll be back soon with some more reviews and some general chat, but in the meantime, 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

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

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

New Year's resolutions

December the 31st has found its way back around far too quickly. And what does New Year mean? Resolutions. 

As a general rule, I don't particularly agree with New Years resolutions. Wait, not like that! It's a great idea to try to better yourself and set goals to achieve. It keeps you moving forward and striving for a better version of you. However, I believe that this is something that you can do all of the time - definitely not just on January 1st! 

Nevertheless, I am going to share with you some of my goals and aims for the following twelve months and I'm sure you'll hear of new ones from me through the year too...

Spend more time outdoors

I love being outdoors, I love the sense of freedom, the beauty of nature. But rarely do I make time to enjoy it

Send more messages

I'm the first person to admit that I suck at replying to texts, to messages on Facebook and whatsapp, but I've learnt that's rubbish and it's good to stay in regular contact with people when you're living away 

Do more of what I enjoy

Life's too short; and those small things, they're not really all that small

Stress less

There are things you can't control, so where's the sense in worrying about them? 

Smile more

Because whatever it is that's making me not want to smile is definitely not going to last forever

Hope you all have a happy new year! And I'd love to hear your views in the comments...What are your views on New Year's Resolutions? Have you stuck to any from last year? Have you set any this year? And are any similar to mine? 

Keep smiling,

Kathryn X

It doesn't even feel like Christmas

Said everyone over the age of 15, every Christmas. Well, pretty much. And I guess I wanted to know why most of us feel like that. Because most of the time we still enjoy Christmas Day itself and all of the festivities that it brings. 

So after a little bit of thinking and googling (made up term?), I came to the conclusion that as you get older you just have more things on. More things that are more important. As a small child, you rarely have to worry about assignments or bills, so as you get older and these responsibilities grow, you just don't have the brain capacity to think about all of these things at the same time. 

So my conclusion...we definitely don't have to value Christmas any less as we get older, quite the contrary. Each year we may spend a little bit less time in the run up thinking about it so that it brings extra joy when it arrives. Have a lovely Christmas!! 

Keep smiling, 

Kathryn x 

Results madness

I returned home from a family Egypt very late Wednesday evening and by the time I got home it was the early hours of Thursday morning. Results day. I was shaking and worried, convinced I had failed everything, and scared about my future. And when I tried to sleep, my head filled up with thoughts of failure and panic. I probably got an hours sleep that night in fifteen minute bursts. 

The results were supposed to go online at six am so when there was nothing to be seen at this time my anxiety levels rose again. It was at half past seven that I looked on UCAS track and found out what my future would hold... 

I had been accepted to my firm choice!! I was so excited and still am! In the end I had to head up to school at 8am for my actual results which were as follows: A* in maths, A in further maths, B in biology, B in Chemistry and an A* in my EPQ. After such a difficult year for me in so many ways, I finally felt as though my work had paid off. But I was a little bit confused. My firm choice wanted A*AA and I only got A*AB. I hadn't made the grades but I still got accepted. I'm not complaining though. It feels like a second chance and now I genuinely do believe that if you work hard and always try your best, you will get what you want in the end.

My message to you is that whatever happens, it's for the best. Everything turns out well in the end and the day may not go as planned but that's just a hurdle. A stepping stone to the next adventure in your life. You can still shape your future however you want it to shape, you might just have to follow a different path for a little while.

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x

Where have you been?

So it seems that I haven't been around all that much, if at all, for the past couple of months. I'm sure you'll all appreciate that I am just coming the the end of year 13 so have had a lot on my plate juggling exams and the baggage that they bring along, my swimming training, keeping up a job to fund university accommodation fees for next year, and trying my hardest to remain somewhat close to sane. And out of all of those things I think that latter has been and still is the hardest (but that'll be a post for another day I think). I haven't yet finished my exams; I have one more on Wednesday morning but I'm taking a quick break from revision to write this because I've had an exam this morning and any more thinking might just turn my brain to mush. 

Whilst I've been away, I have still been working on ideas for blog posts, as well as various other creativities. I guess it is a shame but I haven't really been in the mindset to let these ideas take shape. A few of you may know that I'm a fan of metaphors so lets call these ideas seeds. Seeds that grow into the trees or plants for your favourite fruit. Now these seeds have been planted and every time a little shoot develops a naughty little fox comes along and eats the top all because I have been so focused on other things that I haven't been protecting the shoots. But these seeds are strong, determined little things and they keep pushing. And, perhaps more importantly, very soon I'm going to have time to protect these little shoots. 

So I hope you appreciate that I haven't just abandoned my blog, I've just had way too much on and for a while had to work out which things in my life were the most important, and which I could put on hold for a while. But be assured, I'm back now. And back with regular(ish) posts as well as hopefully a few new surprises coming up over the coming months.

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x

Back around...

So here I am! I know I've been absent for a short while so I'm sorry everyone. I've had a lot going in my life and many things to deal with and juggling it all with two/three jobs, college work, being in and volunteering for a swimming club etc has been a little bit difficult. Never mind finding time to remain sane too! But that's all getting worked on now so all's good. A work in progress and all of that. But that leaves me in a muddle, I am back around and will be posting from time to time but I make no promises about how much because, quite simply, I can't.

But I'm not the only thing that's back around...

At the moment there are people in my life that I never thought would end up back in my life. And I am so thrilled that some of them are. But some of them it would be if they'd remained out of it. In the nicest way possible, obviously. They bring back awful memories, and others still treating me the way they did when I pushed them away so maybe keeping that sort of person at arms length is the best way forward.

And what else is back around? My life. I've literally come full circle, back to the place I was in this time last year. At first I thought that was an awful thing, but it doesn't have to be. I have a second opportunity to fix the things I didn't last year and I really am thankful for the opportunity to do just that. I know it's going to be hard, but hopefully with all of the help I'm getting I won't be going full circle back to the start again. I guess it's true what they say; what goes around does come back around.

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x

Booktober: week 3

So week three's book for 'Booktober' is Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green. So having read and enjoyed a lot of John Green's novels I was extremely excited to get started on this one!

The novel is written by two separate authors; odd numbers chapters written by one author and even by the other. As a way of differentiating between the two storylines, half of the chapters are written uncapitalised. And I think that is where my issues with the novel begin. I am the most extreme perfectionist that you will ever meet and this just aggravated my OCD but because I love the author so much I thought I'd persevere. 

Something about this novel was a little odd though. Usually I find it impossible to put down John Green's books but this time I found myself strangely drawn to the idea. Undoubtedly, the plot was interesting and it wasn't too confusing to follow. However, it just wasn't quite as gripping as I'm used to. 

In some ways I was gripped; I did want to know how it ended. However, I also found that it was a little predictable and written in a way that made it a little bit more monotonous that it could have been. 

In no way am I saying that the book is awful, it's just not quite as good I expected and it didn't live up to my expectations. But expectations are a bad thing. They lead you to be let down. So if anything, I'll let it be a lesson to me. A lesson that teaches me how setting high expectations leads to disappointment. 

I am so extremely apologetic about the post which is a lot more negative but these are only my opinions on the book. If you have anything you'd like to say about the book please do so in the comments below.

Keep smiling, 

Kathryn x

Only human

Something that I know I often do is push myself too hard; I expect myself to do things that I can't or don't have time for then get annoyed at myself when I make a mistake, don't get something done on time or don't get it done perfectly. And I think this may be something that you'll be able to identify with.

As human nature goes, we have a huge tendency to expect too much of ourselves and just be too hard on ourselves. This ends up wearing us out and breaking ourselves down. We agree to things in a desperate effort to please other people but at the end of the day, there's no way that you can ever please EVERYONE. There will always be someone who wanted you to be better, faster, smarter, stronger or more sociable. But you are you and your characteristics make that true! You're flaws, mistakes and the way you deal with them make you unique and perfect and don't let anyone every change them! 

The reason I'm writing this is to say that sometimes you need to accept that saying no to something is okay. If you don't have the relevant skills to do something or the time to do it well (or just need a break) that's okay. If you explain yourself absolutely no one can blame you for taking care of yourself every once in a while. If you're struggling with something it's okay to take a while to consider your options and work out what's best for you; don't feel like something's wrong because you can't figure out what you want right now. And you don't need to be hard on yourself for making mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes after all, we're only human! 

Keep smiling, 

Kathryn x 

Booktober: week 2

This week I've been extremely busy and had so little time to relax or do anything that I really wanted to so I had every excuse not to read a full book this week. But I was not letting that stop me! You have to make time for the small things because sometimes they become the big, important things!

I was in work today on a break and decided that I'd read this week's book: Dead Time by Anne Cassidy. Cassidy is an author that I used to absolutely adore! Her stories have an enjoyable element of mystery and usually a very unpredictable ending which is what I love most. And I thought I'd read all of her books but was thrilled to find she'd relatively recently published a new series called The Murder Notebooks. Obviously I had to get hold of a copy of the first one as soon as possible! 

This book tells the story of not-quite step-siblings Rose and Josh who end up separated after their parents mysteriously go missing. The police insist that it was most likely murder but then close the case and the children are not convinced! They take matters into their own hands to try and discover the truth about what happened that night.

Dead Time was a fantastic read; definitely not a let down. I loved the way that different parts of the story were linked together and the way that mystery and suspense was created. This would definitely be a recommendation to others! 

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x

Why I do bother!

Recently, a few things have happened to me that have had me asking the same thing repeatedly: 'Why do I bother?' And I just thought it would be a good idea to write about it; to give you advice and to help me when I find I'm thinking like this in the future.  

Okay so this has happened a few times to me...

I always (and I mean always) try to be super nice to other people. I guess I just like to think I'm either improving someone's day or keeping the world a happy place. However, more than once, I've tried my hardest to include people that otherwise would have been completely ignored by everyone, just to have it thrown back in my face! After trying particularly hard with one person it really annoyed me to find out that they'd started spreading lies about me behind my back. 

Now, what makes it worse is that this person doesn't know me but, most of all, it is NEVER right to do this. To make someone feel awful is wrong. To spread lies about someone you barely know, someone who tried their hardest to make you feel included and help you out doesn't really encourage them to do it again, does it? 

After I'd heard the things that'd been said I was quite upset but, not only that, I'd lost all confidence in myself. I started to worry and panic then wondered how I should treat her next time I see her. But then I realised something. It's not in my character to treat her any differently. I would feel even worse if I started to treat her differently.

There could be any number of reasons for her saying the things she did. None of those things make her actions justifiable but they could make them slightly more understandable and I guess it's better to forgive but not forget than to let on to her.

Some wise words from Atticus Finch 'Before I can live with other people, I have to live with myself' helped me to learn that I should concern myself with my own actions before I bother about anyone else's!

Keep smiling, 

Kathryn x

Booktober

I am a very big fan of Carrie Fletcher who, in case you didn't know, is quite a well-known Youtuber amongst other things. She created 'Booktober' a couple of years ago and basically the idea is to read a new book each week in October. This year I wanted to give it a go! 

I will be reading a new book each week (because I'm a little bookworm!) but I'm doing things a little bit differently! I'm going to write a blog post each week so coming back for a quick review about what I've been reading as well as recommendations! 

Keep smiling, 

Kathryn x

100 questions that no one ever asks tag

Recently I've been really enjoying this sort of blog. It's so great to allow you to get to know me a little bit better and it would be nice if you'd like to leave a comment if there's anything you agree with or disagree with. Hope you don't find it boring!

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? 

Closed. I cannot sleep with doors open!

2. Do you take the shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels?

Well I do if they're nice, if they're not what's the point? I do, however, make a habit of taking whatever biscuits and tea bags they have! Vanilla Chai tea bags are the best

3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? 

My bed is wedged into the corner or my room with one side next to the wall so that side is tucked in. The other side is left out so half and half

4. Have you stolen a street sign before? 

What? Is there even a valid reason for doing this?

5. Do you like to use post-it notes?

I love post-it notes! I have a small obsession with stationary and pretty much anything that can be used for organisation. And I have a nice little colour-coding system for different types of tasks and their importance

6. Do you cut out coupons but never use them? 

To be honest I don't ever use coupons but I don't cut them out either so no

7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?

Hmmm, I'm thinking the bear but I'm not sure. I'm not really a fan of conflict of any sort so I'd hope it was someone dressed up as a big bear to give me a big bear hug 

8. Do you have freckles?

Yes, a lot! I sometimes made jokes that one day all of my freckles will join up and I'll look permanently tanned 

9. Do you always smile for pictures? 

I try at least; I've got the worst smile going. Just very unphotogenic 

10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

I shouldn't admit to this but I have quite a lot. In fact, I'm going to struggle to pick one. Maybe when people leave a door open part way. Close it properly or leave it fully open, is it so hard? Or people watching me eat. Please, is it really necessary?

11. Do you ever count your steps when you walk?

Yes, I'm not sure why though; I always lose count. Maybe it's just the comfort that numbers never change when everyone and everything around me is

12. Have you peed in the woods?

I have done. You learn that it's not too much of a terrible thing after D of E! I lasted through bronze and silver but at gold you go away for a week

13. Have you ever pooped in the woods?

I have not 

14.  Do you ever dance even if there's  no music playing?

All the time

15. Do you chew your pens and pencils? 

I do, unless they're borrowed

16. How many people have you slept with this week? 

Do teddy bears count?

17. What size is your bed?

Just a single

18. What is your song of the week? 

Oooh, good question. I listen to so much music but none of it will really interest you. Right now I'm enjoying James Blunt's 'Carry You Home'. I know it's quite old but I'm entitled to my own music choice, just as you are :)

19. Is it okay for guys to wear pink? 

Yes, they can wear whatever they like just like I'd want to. I don't like pink so don't wear it but wouldn't want to be.

20. Do you still watch cartoons? 

I didn't ever watch cartoons. Just not a fan.

21. Whats your least favorite movie? To be honest I don't watch too many movies. But one film that I don't particularly like is Twilight. I think the book was great but the film was a little bit of a let down

22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?  

Now if I told you it wouldn't be hidden would it

23. What do you drink with dinner? 

I'm very fussy about what I eat and drink and at dinner it's just water

24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in? 

I just don't eat chicken nuggets. Like I said, a VERY fussy eater!

25. What is your favorite food? 

Carrot. Sticks of carrot. I'm sure I must have been a rabbit in a previous life

26. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? 

All of the Harry Potter's and Mamma Mia

27. Last person you kissed/kissed you? 

Probably my mum

28. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?

We don't have Girl Scouts here but I was a Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and now I'm a Young Leader

29. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? 

I wouldn't even pose fully clothed. I absolutely hate photographs and what I look like

30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? 

Yesterday. I love writing letters. So much nicer than sending an email.

31. Can you change the oil on a car?

Nope

32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket? 

I don't even drive yet!

33. Ever ran out of gas? 

SEE ABOVE!

34. Favorite kind of sandwich?

Okay I'm not the biggest fan of sandwiches but I do like a good cheese and tomato toastie. If it has to be a sandwich though, I only like Warburtons Sandwich Thins so it would be one of those with cheese, salad and sweet chilli sauce  

35. Best thing to eat for breakfast? 

I don't like eating breakfast. I physically can't eat before I swim in a morning but I've started forcing myself to on a college morning. So I don't mind banana in yoghurt or Nature Valley bars. And that's it.

36. What is your usual bedtime? 

It depends. Some days I only get in from swimming at ten but as sad as this is, I try to be in bed by ten when I can. I'm a morning person.

37. Are you lazy? 

I certainly hope not!

38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? 

Usually some variety of witch

39 What is your Chinese astrological sign? 

Absolutely no idea

40. How many languages can you speak? 

That depends on how you define speak. I speak English obviously, then I've studied Spanish for 9 years so know enough for most things and I know just about enough Turkish to get by if I need to

41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

I don't

42. Which are better legos or lincoln logs? 

I'm going to have to say Lego on the basis of 'What are Lincoln Ligs?'

43. Are you stubborn? 

I try not to be and don't think so but its probably better to ask someone else

44. Who is better…Leno or Letterman? 

Who or who?

45. Ever watch soap operas? 

Nah, I waste my time watching The Great British Bake Off. Unless you count Waterloo Road, Casualty or Holby City but they're dramas really

46. Are you afraid of heights? 

Nope

47. Do you sing in the car? 

I sing everywhere 

48. Do you sing in the shower? 

I said EVERYWHERE 

49. Do you dance in the car? 

I like to dance but is there really enough room in the car?

50. Ever used a gun?

Actually, yes. Yes I have. Scared yet?

51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? 

Probably my last school photo which was 12 months ago. Unless you count the school photographer, in which case it was Wednesday for the college council

52. Do you think musicals are cheesy? 

Some are and some aren't but I do love musicals

53. Is Christmas stressful?

Yes, but it's usually close to worth it

54. Ever eat a pierogi? 

I don't know what that is but I'll assume not. I'm such a fussy eater so it's unlikely 

55. Favourite type of fruit pie? 

Cherry or rhubarb (but not together!)

56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? Doctor, lawyer, journalist, writer, blogger/youtuber (hmmmm) and (the one that I haven't grown out of) a maths teacher

57. Do you believe in ghosts? 

Sometimes I like to but I'm not sure

58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? 

Once

59. Take a vitamin daily? 

Yes, which sucks but I guess it's important for me

60. Wear slippers? 

I prefer slipper socks

61. Wear a bath robe? 

Dressing gown? I do, but only when it's very cold

62. What do you wear to bed? 

Pyjamas!

63. First concert?  

Not been yet! Please someone change that ;)

64:Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? 

Where, where or where? I'll assume they're the American equivalent of ASDA

65. Nike or Adidas? 

It depends what for but usually Nike

66. Cheetos Or Fritos?

I don't eat crisps; really don't like them

67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? 

Both! Finally found something I do eat

68. Ever hear of the group Tres Bien? 

Yeah

69. Ever take dance lessons? 

From the age of two to fifteen: ballet, tap, modern, jazz, disco, street, cheerleading

70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?  

Not really, I don't mind as long as he's happy

71. Can you curl your tongue? 

Yes

72. Ever won a spelling bee?

We don't have them but I think I might be able to. Everyone comes to me for spellings 

73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy? 

Yes, a few times but usually at work

74. Own any record albums? 

I do. ABBA and Bon Jovi

75. Own a record player? 

Again, yes I do!

76. Regularly burn incense?

I don't but I forever burn candles. My salted caramel Yankee candle is nearly finished :(

77. Ever been in love? 

I'm not sure

78. Who would you like to see in concert? 

Imagine Dragons, Demi Lovato, Gabrielle Aplin, Amy MacDonald. I could go on...

79. What was the last concert you saw? I've not :(

80. Hot tea or cold tea? 

Hot green tea with lemon

81. Tea or coffee? 

Both but if I had to choose I'd go with coffee

82. Sugar or snickerdoodles?

Neither

83. Can you swim well? 

I'm a competitive swimmer who swims for fifteen hours a week, a lifeguard, coach and teacher so I'd like to think so

84. Can you hold your breath without holding your nose? 

Yes

85. Are you patient? 

I really do try to be

86. DJ or band, at a wedding? 

DJ I think but I've never really thought about it

87. Ever won a contest? 

Yes, I've won odd things like creative writing competitions and a bookmark designing competition. I was such a cool kid

88. Ever have plastic surgery? 

Nope

89. Which are better black or green olives? 

Eewwww! Neither

90. Can you knit or crochet? 

Nope, my grandma tried to teach me but I don't have very good hand eye coordination 

91. Best room for a fireplace? 

Bedroom or living room 

92. Do you want to get married? 

Yes

93. If married, how long have you been married?

I'm not married

94. Who was your HS crush? 

Why would I answer that?

95. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? 

Nope, I know it's not the solution

96. Do you have kids? 

No

97. Do you want kids? 

Yes, but I'd also like to foster or adopt

98. What's your favorite color? 

Purple!

99. Do you miss anyone right now? 

Yes

100. Who do you tag?

I tag my wonderful Nutmeg megangoodier.blogspot.co.uk

Hope this has helped you to get to know me a little bit better! And until next time...

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x