Favourites and Sundays; Day 2 // Emile

Hello everyone,

How's your Sunday been? Mine's actually been better than it usually is. I went swimming then on a dog walk with my friends (I don't have a dog) which sounds boring but it's the little things in life. I also did some washing up and tidying and emptying the dishwasher which sounds boring and is. Fun fact, a couple of years ago A and I started something called "Make Sundays Fun" which is pretty self explanatory. Actually I think I might have told you guys about it before but what it was is that we would get together and do something every Sunday to try and make Sundays a bit more interesting because if I'm not careful half of my weekend is taken up by washing and dishes etc. That's my challenge to you: go out and do something! Even if you just go for a little walk. If you died tomorrow, you wouldn't want your last day on Earth to be spent just doing dishes! (I'm not advocating living like a slob, do your dishes. Just do them quickly and then go and do something fun!). So yeah I've had a good day and then I came home and did homework. And I'm sure you're now bored of hearing about my obviously incredibly interesting life. I'll move on.

I've been really loving listening to Dodie Clark's music at the moment. She makes videos and YouTube and is a musician and an artist and an incredibly talented person. So if you're looking for something the listen to I recommend her! Here is a link to her "main" channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKVfKr96Ifr3Dnhb6mhDAdw And her vlog channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/doddlevloggle .

Here are some of Dodie's songs to get you started:

         
           

                 
                   

(top left image) Sick of Losing Soulmates - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHUIoikgKT0

(top right image) Intertwined - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TJxmsj1lUg

(bottom right image) She - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpg3gtwepSs

(bottom left image) One for the Road - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKOIG1sIr0o


P.S. I found all these images on google images. They don't belong to me.
P.P.S. Dodie also does great covers :)
P.P.P.S. I'm sorry if the images have come up weird because try as I might they look fine on the draft and as soon as I publish them blogger jumbles them up.

On the topic of favourites, my favourite food at the moment is porridge. Definitely. I eat it every morning for breakfast with lots of yummy toppings. The best combinations that I have discovered so far are apple and cinnamon, peach and coconut, and raisin and honey. I have also really enjoyed reading Teddy/Victoire fan fiction. So yeah.

This post hasn't really been about anything in particular, but I need these kinds of posts to get into the swing of it; to get my creative juices flowing as some like to say. I hope you can persevere with them!

The End,

Welcome! And look after yourself // Day 1

Hello everyone,

welcome to day one of whatever you would like to call this. I know I'm posting pretty far through the day but at least I'm posting. Honestly, I'm lacking a bit of inspiration, however given as I'm using this weekend to basically recover from my life in the past few the weeks, let me take this opportunity to remind you that you should look after yourself. You cannot run nonstop through life without ever taking a proper break and recharging yourself, our bodies are not invincible, and neither are our minds. Stress really can take its toll on you. Occasionally, switch off and spend a little time doing something purely because you enjoy it, not because you have to. Here are some things that I like to do to unwind, to inspire your own de-stress sesh (short for 'session'. Geddit?).

1. Read! This is a book blog...
2. Take a bath.
3. Draw.
4. Play an instrument, not for an exam or anything; just for fun.
5. Have a little dance.
6. Write a letter to yourself, or a friend.
7. Write something; it can be anything your heart desires. 
8. Paint your nails.
9. Have a cup of tea and a biscuit.
10. Do some stretching/ yoga.
11. Go to bed early and have a nice long sleep. 

Make sure you look after yourself. You deserve it :)
The End,

What I Would Like to See in Empire Of Storms // Emile

*WARNING. Do not read this post if you have not read the Throne of Glass series up to date. You read at your own risk of spoilers. 

Hello everyone,

the release date of Empire of Storms, the fifth Throne of Glass book is creeping closer and closer and I am so excited! Before I begin though I just want to say I’ve seen a lot on Instagram about people spoiling the book, sending hate mail to Sarah J. Maas, and even going as far as death threats. That is disgusting. I can’t believe anyone would dare be so rude and horrible. She has the right to put whatever she wants in her books. If nothing intense happened, they would be no good! It is not acceptable to harass someone simply because you do not agree with what happened in their story. Sarah J. Maas is just one person, she cannot cater to the wants of all of her readers. Show her some respect. 

Now that that’s out of the way, here are some things I would like to see in Empire of Storms:

- Manon and Aelin meeting again.

- Rowaelin ;)

- Lysandra’s shapeshifting powers coming into play.

- Seeing more of Terrassen (I hope I spelt that right).

- Perhaps some Manorian?

- An Elide/ Aelin reunion. 

- Asterin being happy again.

- The witches discovering more of their humanity/ rebellion against Mother Blackbeak

- Elide finding out more about her Blackbeak heritage. 

- Aedion and Gavriel meeting for the first time.

- Aelin’s court coming together.

- Old court/ new court arguments.

- Rebuilding Terrassen from the bottom. 

- Chaol meeting the healer girl I can’t remember the name of from The Assassin and the Healer at the Torre Cesme. {turns out she's called Irene Towers}

- Duke Perrington having his butt kicked (perhaps literally)

- Consequences of magic being free. 

- Aelin really growing into being queen.

- Aedion being happy. 

- Maybe some Aedion/Lysandra. 

This is all I can think of off the top of my head right now, but whatever Sarah J. Maas writes I will love it. 

The End,

Quitting Something You Love // Emile

Hello everyone,

I hope that you are well, and that you are enjoying your summer. I only have one week left *sobs*. Actually though it will be nice to see all my friends and get back into school. It's been so long since I've really had to use my brain that I have to think about basic things an unusual amount. Anyway I'm writing this blog post because I learnt something yesterday which is probably obvious to many but for me it feels like it will be something that stays with me, if that makes sense.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to stop running. I've obviously done something to greatly anger the gods because it turns out all this time I've been running it's been damaging my hips and my knees and my feet and all these things which are rather important. I have flat feet, so the arches of my feet are very low, I hardly have any. This means that my legs turn inwards right up to the hip, and my pelvis tilts forwards and basically running has messed up my body. So I have to stop to prevent further damage. The things is, over the past two yeas, running has become a big part of my life. I have put literal blood sweat and tears into where I am today. I'm not brilliant, by any stretch of the imagination. You will not see me at Tokyo 2020. But I was brilliant compared to where I started.

Something else I will have to come to terms with is that I am not built to run. I have broad shoulders, wide hips, big thighs and short legs. No, I don't actually look like a marshmallow and I am not fat, but I'm not built skinny either. I always thought that despite everything against me that if I worked hard enough I could get there. Sadly, what I have to face is that some things are just out of your control. I am extremely opposed to that. My determination is something that I am proud of. I have this idea that I can do absolutely anything if I work for it. Believe me, I'm not saying that's a bad thing. This attitude has taken me many places, and helped me achieve a lot. I just need to face that I am not made to run, so I have to stop.

The problem is that running is like part of my identity. It's something I do. What will I be without running? I have a hole in my life now that I need to fill. What should I fill it with? It will have to be a sport, because running is around 50% of my exercise. It's been recommended to me that I try archery. I know I'm good at shooting (which is slightly worrying. It's a slightly strange natural talent to have). Maybe I should cycle. I like cycling. Or swim. I like swimming. But swimming is less accessible for me. What do I do?

To get to the point, I'm writing this because it's difficult to give up something you love because your body can't handle it. So many other people can run fine, but it's destroying my hips. It almost makes my body feel inadequate. For now, I'm giving yoga a shot because I enjoying and I want to test my strength and see how far I can go with it. Also there are lots of great guided yoga sessions on YouTube. My favourite channels are Yoga by Candace and Yoga with Adriene.

If you have any suggestions or ideas, or a story of your own to share please leave a comment because I could not find any other stories on the internet about people giving up running because they had to. They were all about people who just fell out of it because they were feeling lazy.

My grandfather said "there is no point bashing your nose against the wall until it bleeds. Find something that works with what you've got."

The End,

My Netflix Favourites // Emile

Hello everyone,

If, like me, you have Netflix, you understand how much it takes over your life. Even better, I'm going to introduce you today to the shows that control my personal existence. Have fun. I've done a lot of posts that comprise of lists recently, so I'm going to try and write a few different ones after this. I don't want anyone getting bored.

1. Jane the Virgin.
I'm waiting for season 2 to be released on Netflix this October, and I absolutely can't wait. The whole series is based on the crazy drama of a telenovela and I love the characters and it's great and I'm pathetic. 

2. Reign
Likewise, I'm waiting for next season of Reign to be released on Netflix. Especially after the sudden devastating death of my favourite character =(

3. Pretty Little Liars.
I don't watch PLL very often, but when I do I go through ten episodes in a day. No spoilers, I'm only season 3. 

4. The Big Bang Theory.
This is what I'm binge watching at the moment. It's about science nerds. I'm a science nerd. I fit right in. 

5. Outnumbered. 
I haven't actually seen this for a while, but apparently it's coming back to the screen! I'll miss little Karen though. She reminds me of myself.

Have fun throwing your real life out the window in the same manner as myself. 
The End, 

50 Facts About Me // Emile

Hello everyone,

Maud is writing a post like this, so I thought I would too. Hopefully, you will get to know me better.

1. Emile isn't actually my first name, it's my middle name. 

2. I really don't like having things around my wrists. Especially sleeves, so I always roll my sleeves up. 

3. I'm really bad at sleeping. It's currently 23:18. 

4. Maud and I have been best friends for almost ten years now. 

5. My favourite colour is cranberry red. 

6. I really like learning languages. 

7. I also really like making lists. I have at least ten notebooks. 

8. That should have been a separate point.

9. I play piano.

10. My favourite book when I was younger was The Trumpet of the Swan  by E. Nesbitt. 

11. I read that book at least 4 times.

12. Somehow I'm simultaneously scared and excited about moving up the school.

13. I'm 4' 11". I've hardly grown at all since I was ten. 

14. I get really sad if I can't sing for a long time. By a long time I mean more than three days. 

15. I don't like wearing socks without shoes.

16. My two cats are called Chester and Mia. They look like this:

17. I would like to be an astrophysicist or a biochemist when I leave university. 

18. I want to go to university, preferably far enough away from my parents that they don't find out what I'm up to. 

19. The food I despise the most is cream of tomato soup. I have never ever ever ever ever ever liked it. 

20. I love shopping for school supplies.

21. My summer job is to clean the house. Yippee. No but seriously I get money to buy more books. 

22. I really like pesto pasta, especially with little cherry tomatoes chopped up in it. 

23. I eat meat but I would much rather be pescatarian. 

24. My favourite animals are humpback whales and owls. 

25. I'm going to go to bed now because it's 23:31 and I should sleep in preparation for all the cleaning I'm going to do tomorrow. 

26. This is the fourth blog post I have written today. Go super productive me!

27. My favourite scents are almond and rose. 

28. I keep forgetting what year it is, and what month. 

29. I find it really hard to sleep with washing my face first because I can just imagine all the fresh greasy spots that will be waiting for me the next morning. 

30. Maud talks in her sleep. That's not a fact about me, but what is a fact about me is that I find it incredibly annoying. Love you =). 

31. My Nan is the biggest inspiration in the world to me. I love her more than I can ever say. 

32. When I was 7 a girl in my class told me her Dad was going to kill me but she would protect me. I'm still alive (shocker). 

33. I'm not sure why I'm being so sarcastic today. 

34. I hate it when my younger brother starts talking about quantum physics at the dinner table because it makes me feel like a failure. Besides, chemistry and biology are more my thing. 

35. I really don't like plasters. I never wear them. 

36. I have a birthmark on my left ankle. 

37. I have three scars, one on my head next to the outside of my right eye, one on my left hand and one on my tongue. 

38. I got the scar on my head by running into the corner of a table when I was two. My parents blame each other. 

39. I got the scar on my left hand last Canadian thanksgiving when I accidentally peeled a tiny bit of skin off my hand. Evidently my immune system couldn't cope with it and it left a scar. 

40. I got the scar on my tongue in Portugal when I was holding onto my brother and he jerked his head up into my chin causing me to bite through my tongue. It was gruesome. 

41. On a similar topic I pushed my brother off a bunkbed when I was younger. I haven't attempted it since thankfully. 

42. My mother forbids us from saying the word 'spud' at the dinner table. 

43. I have never told any of my crushes that I have had a crush on them. 

44. When I try and speak French it sounds like someone attempting to regurgitate their lunch. 

45. Bad grammar bothers me to no end. 

46. I feel like my brain can't comprehend English, it is wired to understand Maths and Science instead. 

47. I once asked for two guinea pigs on Christmas Eve to see if Santa was real. The results were negative. 

48. I have had surgery twice. 

49. Latex gloves creep me out. 

50. Whenever I'm sad I read or play piano. 

The End,

A Poem Written At 1am (and finished the next day) // Emile

The alarm buzzes
you awake
when you roll out of bed

the earth does not quake

beneath your slipper-clad feet

as you crawl across your bedroom

to the wardrobe.

What should you wear?

Oh the choice of the day

Daniel in HR says he likes the way

this shirt brings out the green in your eyes

but it's in the ever increasing

pile of dirty laundry on the floor

so you'll have to compromise

and wear that one instead

besides

you shouldn't over analyse

a simple shirt

because why does it matter?

Next stop: the bathroom

an entire apothecary 

of lotions, powders

tonics and creams

to disguise the scary truth

of the human body

and yours in particular

especially that strange

birthmark on your neck

which is exactly the reason

the bullies and Beck

picked on you in high school.

Relentlessly.

You brush your teeth

then wash your face

after which you traipse

to the kitchen

ready for your russet drug

sloppily poured into a travel mug

cup in one hand

satchel in the other

you race down the street

not even bothering

to look around you

your mind wholly focused on 

work work work

the audit Jane needs by midday tomorrow

is your priority right now. 

Tap tap tap
your fingers on the keys
but what doors do they unlock?
perhaps the money you need 
to pay last month's rent
which you were reminded about
by the letter the fell through 
your door this morning
of course you will pay it
as soon as your salary come in 
the buds in your ears
block out the din 
of the office around you
replacing them with mindless tunes
waves and curls
slipping like sand dunes
around your head. 

At noon you pull out a crumpled note
and rush down the road 
hurriedly pulling on your coat
as you go
down to the cafe
you buy a soggy wrap
and a low-fat latte
which you mindlessly sip at your desk
wondering if Jenny and her boyfriend
are still together
after that massive row they had on Facebook
is that really something you could overlook
in a relationship?

how many calories are in this again?

And so the day ends
click click click
your heels on the concrete 
patter patter patter
raindrops cover your glasses
blurring your vision
skewing the masses
of people
that cram themselves into
busses and trains
trams and planes
just get me home please
but as you look around the carriage
herding you back
so you can do this again tomorrow
the next day
and the next 
you realise 
that this is all you will do with your life
every single day
until your heart stops beating
and carries you away
to whatever afterlife.

So please
don't lose your childlike sense of wonder
never stop dreaming 
and most importantly
never forget 
the power you have to make a difference
in this world
because it only takes one person
one soul brave enough to stand up for what they believe in
to change the way we all live
there's nothing wrong with an office job
or leaving your laundry
all over the floor
like a slob
but please
don't let the fire inside you go out
because that little flame is humanities
greatest hope

so don't let it burnout. 

- Em.

My Summer Bucket List 2016 // Emile

Hello everyone,

Technically, the first day of Summer was a few days ago, but here in sunny 'ol Britain (yeah I know) it hasn't really been that Summery. But I am an optimist and I can always hope. Last year I made a bucket list and I really enjoyed challenging myself to do some things I wouldn't otherwise do. You could spend your Summer sitting on the couch binge-watching Netflix, or you could spend your days having some fun and your nights binge-watching Netflix! Sounds like that better choice to me. I'm not on summer break yet; two weeks to go.

1. Learn to play something on guitar.

2. Borrow a book from a library and actually read it.

3. Go to the Young Adult Literature Convention.

4. Learn some more Spanish.

5. Practise some yoga.

6. Have a water fight.

7. Talk to someone new.

8. Run 10k.

9. Go out for breakfast.

10. Have a photoshoot with friends.

11. Go on scout camp.

12. Have a sleepover with my best friends.

13. Go on a wherever walk.

(Walk around your neighbourhood exploring places you haven't been before and taking random turnings).

14. Take pictures and put them on Instagram.

15. Sew a garment of clothing.

16. Grow out my hair.

17. Complete more of my Wreck This Journal.

18. Learn a new skill. 

19. Read 15 books.

20. Go for a walk in the rain.

21. Write a blog post everyday for a month.

22. Do something that slightly scares me. 

23. Get better at dance.

24. Learn to pirouette!

(Mine are slowly progressing but still pretty bad).

25. Play in the woods.

26. Do something kind for someone else.

27. Have a barbecue outdoors.

28. Re-read a book I used to love.

29. Participate in a read-a-thon.

30. Write a poem. 

31. Go to the beach.

32. Make a sand Hogwarts to the best of your ability.

33. Watch the sunset.

34. Watch the sunrise.

35. Go for a walk or bike ride before breakfast.

36. Send a letter.

37. Dip my feet in the river.

38. Eat a breakfast food for dinner.

39. Have a posh afternoon tea at home.

40. Bake a cake.

41. Learn to do the splits.

42. Try a new recipe.

43. Wake up before 8am. 

44. Draw something. 

45. Meditate.

46. Do something for charity.

47. Wear something adventurous.

48. Buy a sundress.

49. Walk barefoot down the street.

50. Take a photo a day.

And there you go. Those are 50 things I would like to do this Summer. I will try and take a picture for each one so that at the end of the Summer I can show you all the things I did. 

The End,