Monday, 22 June 2015

This Week in History Series!


This Week in History: Week 26

 

June 22nd: 1911, King George V is crowned king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and all his realms and territories beyond the sea.
 
June 23rd: 1894, birth of Edward VIII, King of Great Brit, Northern Ireland and Emperor of India. He was the oldest son of King George V. He was born in Richmond in Surrey.
 
June 24th: 1314, the Battle of Bannockburn, where Robert the Bruce fought the English and Scotland regained independence from England.
 
June 25th: 1483, Edward V, king of England, is murdered. He was one of the Princes in the Tower, and this is the date he and his brother disappeared from the public view, and there are many theories that King Richard III had them murdered in the Tower.
 
June 26th: 1483, Duke of Gloucester appointed himself King Richard III of England.
 
June 27th: 1959, the musical "West Side Story" closed at Winter Garden Theatre in New York City after 734 performances.
 
June 28th: 1846, the Saxophone was patented by Antoine Joseph Sax.
 
Thanks for Reading!
Claire
x

Saturday, 20 June 2015

The Book Tag!

 
Here we, another weekend, another tag! This time I've chose to do the book tag, I complied most of the questions myself!
 
Here goes!
 
1) What is your favourite book?
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. I love the way the characters are written and the whole story. My Mum says I have the same disorder as Dr Jekyll haha!
 
 
2) Who is your favourite author?
It's hard to chose between Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen. I love both of them and their works. I'll stick with both as they are so different.
 
3) What genre do you prefer?
Gothic/ Victorian Literature. Especially 18th/19th century literature.
 
4) What is your favourite book series?
I'd have to say the Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead. but I also like the Infernal Devices and the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.
 
5) What books did you hate reading in high school?
I'd say anything by Chaucer, I don't mind the stories, but the old English puts me off. We read the Miller's tale and I really hated that one!
 
 
 
6) What is the first book you remember reading as a child?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, it is the only one I ever remember from my childhood.
 
7) Book shops or Libraries?
I'd say book shops, I could spend hours searching for books to buy. I tend to drag my friends and family into all sorts of book shops!
 
 
8) How many books do you own?
I've never actually counted, but I'll take a guess at an average of 150.
 
 
9) Do you read before bed?
Occasionally but not always, depends on the day I've had.
 
 
10) What is the most recent book you've read?
The Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead, which I am still currently reading at the time I wrote this post!
 
 
 
 
11) What quote from any book will you never forget? Why is it significant?
"I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then." From Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It is significant because it is true, each day we are different and not the same person we were the day before.
 
12) What book can you read hundreds of times and never get tired of?
Regeneration by Pat Barker. Each time I read it the truth and reality of it all hits me and I never tire of the story or the images it sets in my mind.
 
13) What is the biggest lesson you've learnt from a book?
Learn to love another, no matter how they look or how they act.
 
If any one wants to give it a go, feel free!
 
 
Thanks for Reading!
 
Claire
x
 
 

Thursday, 18 June 2015

A year’s difference.

Hi everyone, I have been so busy lately and my creativity and inspiration is lacking a little at the minute. So I’ve decided to have a bit of reflection of the last year of my life.
 
A year ago: I was studying my STLS Level 2 to become a teaching assistant.
Today: I have qualified my level 2 and I’m studying my STLS Level 3 now, which I complete in April 2016.
 
A year ago: I was back in my shell and didn’t socialise an awful lot.
Today: I have my friends back around me and keep In touch with them as often as I can.
 
 
A year ago: I wasn’t living in the moment, I was stuck in a rut doing rather boring things.
Today: I have become slightly spontaneous and taken on the motto of ‘you’re only here once.’ I’m living for the now and doing things that I normally wouldn’t do.
 
A year ago: I was part time at work and was trying my hardest to save as much money as possible.
Today: I’m now full time and finding it easier to save and able to afford the thing in life I want.
 
A year ago: I was a little bit calmer and more carefree.
Today: Now I worry about so many things, that I don't actually need to worry about.
 
All in all, I think I have defiantly changed in this last year!
 
Thanks for Reading!
Claire
x

Wednesday, 17 June 2015

15 Random Facts about Me!


 

1.       I like to cook and bake, but I think I’m not very good at it.
 

2.       I am completely T-total after drinking so much in my university days.


3.       My favourite type of food is Italian, so much so I’d happily move to Italy.
 

4.       I have had 2 pets a Dog called Sweep and a Cat called Thomas. Both are no longer with me.
 

5.       My natural hair colour is blonde, but I prefer red, as it looks fake being blonde now with my complexion.
 

6.       I have a stigmatism in my right eye, which causes me to have slight dyslexia.
 

7.       I am completely obsessed with Vampires and Jack the Ripper.
 

8.       I am named after Clair Huxtable from the Cosby Show.

Clair Huxtable
9.       I was School Librarian and School shop assistant.
 

10.   I have lived in Berwick-Upon-Tweed for 22 years on average, taking out the time I actually spent at University.


11.   I have a massive fear of Clowns, Spiders, Snakes and China Dolls.


12.   I am a Pisces and I believe in astrology.
 

13.   I rather like astronomy, but my eyesight lets me down for seeing the stars.
 

14.   I have my ears pierced 3 times!


15.   I’ve been passed my driving test for 6 years, but still never had a car.  
 
Thanks for Reading!
Claire
x


Monday, 15 June 2015

This Week in History Series!

This Week in History: Week 25

June 15th: 1849; James Knox Polk the 11th US President from 1845 to 1849 died in Nashville, Tennessee aged 53.
 
June 16th: 1943; Charlie Chaplin aged 54 married actress Oona O'Neill, who was aged 18. They eloped and got married in Carpinteria. She was his forth wife.
 
 
June 17th: 1239; Birth of Edward I, King of England from 1272 to1307. He was also known as Edward Longshanks and Hammer of the Scots. His men captured William Wallace and he had Wallace executed.  He was born in the Palace of Westminster and was the first Son of Henry III.
 
June 18th: 1639; Treaty of Berwick: Ends the First Bishops' War between England and Scotland. It is also known as Peace of Berwick, Archibald Johnston was involved in the negotiations before King Charles was forced to sign the treaty.
 
June 19th: 1566; Birth of James Stuart, who was King James VI of Scotland from 1567 to 1625. After the death of Elizabeth I he became James I of England and Ireland from 1603 to 1625.
 
King James VI & I
June 20th: 1837; Death of William IV of the United Kingdom, He was aged 71 and died in Windsor Castle.
June 21st: 1948; Birth of Ian McEwan, an English writer. He was born in Aldershot, London. He is best known for Atonement.
 
Thanks for reading!
Claire
x

Saturday, 13 June 2015

The Twilight Tag!


 
Hi all, I thought I'd continue on the tags till inspiration hits me haha! So I've chose to do the Twilight Tag this week!
 
1) Which book in the Series is your favourite?
This was difficult for me to decide, but I'd say Breaking Dawn, meeting the new vampires and Bella's 'new' life is the big appeal.
 
 
 
2) How long did it take you to read the books?
It took me about 2 weeks as at the time I was in sixth form, so had to focus on my school work and avoid my friends who had already read it from telling me what happened haha!
 
 
3) Who introduced you to the books?
My Best Friend Tanya, she had read them all and recommended them to me, especially after we went to see the first movie.
 
4) Who is your favourite vampire?
I have 2, the first is Jasper, I love him and his background and who he is. I feel for him as he is so misunderstood. My second is Benjamin, I love his powers and everything about his personality and his nature.

 
5) Who is your favourite werewolf?
Seth without a doubt, I think I'm drawn to his youth and innocence and the fact he is always up for a fight, as well as being so loyal to Jacob.
 
6) What is one of your favourite quotes from the stories?
I had to think long and hard about this, the quote I chose is from Eclipse, "You are safe inside your mind, no one can reach you there." Reading that makes me feel safe knowing that it is more  or less true, you are usually safe in your head and safe with your own thoughts.
 
 
7) Which book cover is your favourite?
Twilight, the holding of the apple. It is like the apple of temptation, like that of the apple Eve ate. I also love how they represented the cover within the first movie.
 
 
8) In which book did you like Bella's character best?
Breaking Dawn, seeing her so motherly and strong, as well as protecting her family. It was great to read about her changing from human to vampire, as well as changing from a teenager into a mother and wife.
 
 
 
9) In which book did you like Edward's character best?
New Moon, to his world shatter around him within a few moments, the showing of his love for Bella and seeing his vulnerability. Especially when he is about to "commit" suicide.
 
 
10) In which book did you like Jacob's character best?
Breaking Dawn, when he becomes free of his feelings for Bella and his loyalty to the Cullens. I also loved seeing him take on the role of Alpha, being the strong character and taking charge of his own future even if it now with Renesmee.
 
If anyone wants to do it feel free, but I know tag Tanya over at http://tanyasteaparty.blogspot.co.uk/
 
 
Thanks for reading!
 
Claire
x

Thursday, 11 June 2015

4 Things Tag!

Hi all, this week I really struggled for a post, as I don't really have a throwback this week. So I found that my friend Danielle had done this tag, now it's my turn haha!

 
Four….scratch that Three places I have lived:
 My Home in Berwick-Upon-Tweed.  
University of Cumbria Halls of Residence.  
Fern Bank, Lancaster.


My Halls of Residence!
 
Four jobs I've had:
Dish Washer.
Sales Assistant.
  
Barista
 
Waitress

          

Four things I don't eat:

Onions
Cabbage
Bananas
Oranges

 


Four of my favourite foods:

Flaming Hot Monster Munch.
Pizza
Pasta
Cheesy Chips and Gravy





Four movies I've watched more than once:

Twilight
Titanic
Oliver!
Schindler's List

Four TV shows I watch:

(Still running)

Family Guy

Neighbours
 
Chicago PD
 
Days of Our Lives



(Ended)


Buffy the Vampire Slayer

 
Roswell
 
Friends
 
Sex and the City




Four things I'm looking forward to this year:

Going to the Speedway GP in Cardiff in July.

Just going to Cardiff.
 
Doing my Christmas Shopping,
 
Hopefully my parents going on holiday & me getting house to myself!


Four websites that I visit daily

Blogger
 
Facebook
 
Twitter
 
YouTube

Four things I can't live without:

My Phone.
 
My Laptop
 
Jelly Babies
 
Irn Bru.


Four places I've visited:
Ypres, Belgium.

Pila, Italy.
 
Paris, France.
 
Barcelona, Spain.

Four pet peeves:

People blowing their nose.

People eating with their mouth open.
 
People not pushing their chairs in!
 
People slurping their drink.


Four Things I Wish I Could Do:

Travel the World.
 
Go to the Moon.
 
Publish a book.
 
Live Like Jane Austen.


Four Subjects I Studied at School:
History
 
Sociology
 
Geography
 
Philosophy & Ethics



Four Things Near Me Right Now:
 
My Phone.
 
TV remote
 
Bottle of Irn Bru.
 
My Story book.


Four names people call me other than my real name

Bear
Lou Lou Bell
Fan Ann
Clarabunda
 
Thanks for Reading!