Ooh La La!!

So it turns out that my fairy godmother was looking down upon me over the last few weeks, organising my apartment in France, my money and all the other problems that seemed to rain down on me.

As a result, I blog to you today from Ze Land of Ze Frogs! Yep I have upped and left England and begun a year long adventure in France! It's going pretty well so far I must admit! Although money is tight and I am living on a shoestring, the weather is good, university is (frustrating but good) coming along well, I managed to take my Spanish exam without any hiccups and I'm starting to make friends.

Winners Never Quit... Quitters Never Win!

My life is so far from going to plan right now... I had 2 days of calling around French people for some accommodation only to be told I need a French Guarantor, by the time I actually organised it and paid for the pleasure, I found out that Student Finance England (being the stellar organisation that they are) have messed up my loan for the THIRD year running. So I give them my greatest congratulations because it is looking like I won't be going on my year abroad thanks to them.

The Importance of Dedication

There are 3 things I want to really focus on this academic year. I want to spend time on my studies, improve my running and become a green belt (minimum) in karate by next summer. In order to do this I have to have one very important thing: Dedication.

I have met some truly inspiring people this year who make me want to do better but also make me believe I can do better! And in light of the fact that I am moving to France in a couple of weeks, I decided that it was time for a fresh start and a fresh focus on things...........


Karate World Champion Vicky Panetsidou.

Say No To Starbucks..?

Now we all know I'm like a crack addict when it comes to my coffee-- I don't care where I get it as long as I get my fix!!! So imagine how thrilled I was to hear that my uni was suggesting a STARBUCKS ON CAMPUS!!! Oh my gosh, double skinny tall caramel machiato wotsits would be coming out of my ears when I returned to uni-- excitement doesn't even cover my sentiment to a PROPER coffee shop on campus!

Saved by Starbucks on Oxford Street!

Summer has Been and Gone Apparently!

Ahh remember that bank holiday weekend that's just passed us by, far too quickly? Yeah me too, it was a little fresh but the sun was shining, I didn't have any exams for 10 days and I had some spare money... Which clearly only meant 1 thing: BBQ TIME!!!!!!

Cutting it Fine!

Ahh deadlines are looming and all I hear people saying is that they've left it all to the very last minute... Again! I'm not one for being finished weeks before my deadlines, but really I'm a prep girl! I like to prepare my work, do some research plan my essay and structure it so that it doesn't look like I wrote it up an hour before it's due in. In fact, I'm usually finished by midnight the day before, not to sound smug or anything! ;)

However, for my fellow students (and business folk) I am gonna give you the low down of how I stay on top of my rather large and rather crap workload! It's all in the organisation, so if you're not prepared to do the work before the (actual) work then look away now!

If it's not on the calendar, then it's not going to happen!

Being Realistic

We’ve all been there at some point, getting into something new, going into each run determined and then coming out feeling full of badassery and awesomeness! But then, you skip a run… Then you skip another and that long run you had planned? Yeah you’ll make it up tomorrow! Before you know it, you’ve fallen so far behind that you’re back to square one all over again and it can be hard to get back into the swing of things.

I have GOALS not Resolutions!

I'm a firm believer in having goals rather than having resolutions... The reason being is that every year we make our New Year's Resolutions, go full force into them and then fizzle out before the end of January.

Essex Bolts

Despite having to jump through hoops for the Uni, some friends and I are setting up our very own running crew. Now most people think "urgh; crew" it should just be a normal club-- we're not in the 'hood'.

Running really is a complete life style. What you learn on a run, you can apply to your life and the hurdles you face, really can be tackled. On a run you have time to think, breathe, take time out and if you want get back to the raw material of yourself. Focus on your breathing, how your body feels, how you feel emotionally and how fluidly you move along your route. Unplug to plug in. No music, no pacers, just run!

Treading Water...

So since finishing the Oxford Half Marathon, I've basically been going in a little bit of a downward spiral....

Back to the Grindstone... AND A HALF MARATHON!!

So um, given the title you will gather that I'm doing a half marathon... uh yeah. It's in 8 days and I am terrified.. and excited and nervous and um, even if I pass out I am expecting someone to drag my unconscious body across the finish line because I WANT MY MEDAL!! It will be shiny and will also be going on my wall! :D

Check out my room! =)

Running in Monsoon Season!

Now, my uncle lives in Malaysia so Monsoon Season over there really is no joke. But considering England has a hosepipe ban and drought warnings, we aren't doing too badly for rain. I am not the biggest fan of running in the rain, drops of water stinging my face etc, I can think of more enjoyable runs. BUT, I went out twice (that's good for me) in the rain and pounded out a couple of miles!

However, since then, the dismal weather has been getting me down a bit so in order to stay motivated I have a few things around my room at uni to help me out.............

Bangs and her Girls!

Day 1 of Half Marathon Training & Valencia Prep!

Getting Back to Running

So training today was okay, but I can admit that man, I am out of shape! I busted my gut out there today doing my usual walk-run plan, and it was hard! I was a little nervous before as I forgot my bad boys (read: trainers) at uni and wore my trusty Reebok's (No Chav jokes please, I was exercising) instead. I had no lycra, no proper trainers and hadn't been running in a while, so to say I was nervous was a little bit of an understatement.

5 Things To Smile About in Sassy Land ☺

It's an exciting time in Sassy Land at the moment with things unravelling to some pretty awesome events in the near future... Here are my 5 things to smile about right now!

It's a Boy-Girl Thing

When we're young everything is centered around looking our best to impressed... Boys in particular. Now I have never been that girl, the one that cakes on the make up and dresses in the clothes that she thinks will impress the most boys. The girl who flirted and gave guys what they wanted... No I was never ever that girl.

Finally Fitting In!

So after a tough few days of feeling awkward and not really having many friends, I finally fitted in at university. I went to some talks and welcome meetings for my course and here I met some lovely people, especially Emily. :)

Me and Emily

Fitting into Campus Life...

So I moved to uni on sunday and my room looks all cool and homey! I have pictures up and posters on the wall etc but somehow none of it feels right. I don't feel homesick but it's hard to fit in. When I look out of my window I see all these other freshers with groups of people that they seem like they've known forever and I can't help but wonder why don't I have that?

my new home ...

My Life in Boxes

It's exactly 8 days until I fly the nest and move to university. Most of my life is in boxes and suitcases and little things I keep thinking I must NOT forget! Photographs and frames, posters and other little things that make my room at home mine.... But packing is just so hard!!

Go Team!

After my holiday, I was amazed that I only put on 2lbs!!! Shocker right?! So I put it down to all the swimming I was doing. So now I have a plan...

Masquerade Ball Preparation!

SOO basically like I have posted before I'm going to the masquerade ball during freshers week. And I have decided to funk it up a bit....