Jammin' in Jamaica

I know, I know, once again I've been off the radar. Apologies to you all, life has gotten in the way and I still have loads of content to finish in my draft folder, but in the spirit of new year, new me, in 2020 The Basic Traveller is going to be one of my number on priorities.

I'm definitely not doing these posts in order - I owe you all one on South Africa, Iceland, DC and Bologna from 2019, so keep your eyes peeled in the next few weeks as I get myself back on track, and then open it up to you guys as well as some more travel tips and tricks and looking ahead to what 2020 might have in store. So, let's dive straight in...Jamaica 🇯🇲

Let me just say as a disclaimer, this was a family holiday so I'm not going to mention budget and prices but share the highs and lows of the island over new years of 2019.

While many people might instantly think of Kingston (and yeh...something else too) when first thinking of Jamaica, there is actually so much more to this island, and flying into Montego Bay on the north-west, just a 9hr flight from Gatwick, it is much bigger than first expected.
Our hotel, the Jamaica Inn, was a 2hr drive in Ocho Rios towards the north-east. This all-inclusive family-run resort was to be our home for the next week and the place where we would first see in 2020. This hotel has been home to some of the super famous back in the day; Winston Churchill, Marlyn Monroe, Kathryn Hepburn and Ian Fleming, just to name a few, and on our trip we weren't disappointed, catching a glimpse of ex-Prime Minister John Major the last before we left, to my father's delight.

With rooms on the beach, breakfast overlooking the sea and a spa that was the pure definition of tranquillity, as you can guess I barely left the hotel, but still somehow managed to catch a cold that I am battling over a week later.

However, when I was eventually dragged off the beach into Ochos Rios and out onto the island, specifically to Noel Coward's house Firefly, I wasn't disappointed. The views from Firefly were incredible, and I completely understand why Sir Noel built his own house about half a mile from his guest house!

Amongst the other places we visited, the Seville Great House was another standout moment, learning Jamaican Patios from our guide, you have to be aware and remember the dark slave-trade history that runs through Jamaica and is ever-present in the remaining Great (Plantation) Houses.

Back on the beach, however, 5 hours behind the UK we saw in 2020 in Great Gatsby style with the most incredible buffet and party on the beach.

Jamaica is not a place for doing things, although there is plenty available if you want to, but is a place for just being, relaxing, and enjoying the wonderfully chilled pace of life.

Have a good week my loves!

Kate xxx

Airbnb vs. Hotels

As I may have mentioned just a few times before, I have a love of Airbnb just a little bit. So it was suggested to me by my contact at STA for me to write a comparison piece, and while STA are getting something else, I thought it was a good idea anyway.

So, enough rambling!

Airbnb:

Let’s start with Airbnb, a phenomenon that took off about 10 years ago now, Airbnb works on the premise of a kind of house sharing community vibe. You can rent whole apartments to yourself or just a room in someone’s house – and there are options to stay on boats, in castles, in yurts, up treehouses, etc. wherever you could sleep, Airbnb has it in some shape or form. They have also recently launched into providing Airbnb experiences in which local people or freelancers can advertise their services. While I haven’t yet tried the experiences side yet, I have used Airbnb for the last 2 years, staying in many different properties, from riads to city apartments to holiday villas, and I have never had a bad experience. Personally, I think Airbnbs are great because they give you the flexibility of cooking for yourself and most come with a kitchen or at least kitchen access, although I have only ever rented the whole apartment.

The down side to Airbnb, like a hotel, is that sometimes you can end up with some dodgy places that actually aren’t anything like the photos, so make sure you read the reviews and trawl through the options before you settle on your dream holiday accommodation. Another negative is that Airbnb is running the more independent hotels and B&Bs out of business which I don’t appreciate, although I see I am part of the problem and don’t profess to have the answer to this quite yet. Also, many places, like Barcelona, are imposing fines on Airbnb for setting up in their area.

As I’ve mentioned before Airbnb did save my ass in Calais once when I was left without accommodation so I would definitely rate it on that alone, within an hour of booking it we were in the apartment, couldn’t ask for any more than that!

Say what you will about Airbnb but it is defiantly changing the face of the way we travel.

Don't forget to sign up to Airbnb through my link here and save yourself some dolla on your first trip!

Hotels:

As much as I love Airbnb, I do love a good hotel. For me, this is the difference between a holiday (where I might go for a hotel) and travelling (more likely to use an Airbnb or hostel – apart from city breaks).

If I’m going to book a hotel it means one of two things for me – either I have cash to burn and want to be pampered in a luxurious hotel, or I’m going for the all-inclusive beach type holiday. I love that I can have dinner from my bed, that there’s a pool, a bar, a terrace, etc. all the things in life you would want to relax – this is my idea of a hotel and a holiday. 

Hotels are brilliant, all service venues, but I would say that their downside is the lack of ability to cook for yourself – but then if I am picking a hotel, I would know I would be eating out every day and account for that. Also, generally they are more expensive than Airbnbs, although obviously you usually get more provided for this. And finally, I wouldn’t book a hotel if I was going away as part of a big group due to the lack of private communal areas.

Verdict: As always, depends on your budget, for me, I truly can’t decide unhelpfully! Let me know what you prefer!!

Have a good week my loves,

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

The Beginning of: The London Series

After last year when 'The Paris Series' began, I thought that it was time to begin 'The London Series' in which part of my weekly posting schedule will contain various tales of my life in London... when I've done something interesting or worth writing about that is.

I moved to London just over a month ago now (!) where has that time gone, and I've now been in my job at The British Red Cross for nearly two months of my four-month contract!! And without giving too much away (and being a dick bragging about my new house)... my new house is amazing!!!

And after the hassle that it took us to find a place, it better be! When people said finding a place to rent in London would be hard, I didn’t quite believe them – after all, it’s only renting a house – but man was I wrong. 15 viewings later, 3 unsuccessful offers, 1 returned holding deposit and many many frustrated emails, we finally managed to get a house that had space, a garden, and it’s completely beautiful as an added bonus. After a few hiccups and one failed move in date, it is so great to finally be in a real adult house that is clearly cared for, unlike the many student places I’ve been in.

It also means I get to go out and explore North London every weekend and find new and exciting places for you lovely people, reporting back right here on the blog. As you may have noticed if you are a regular reader (and if you are new, welcome, and why haven’t you been here sooner?!) I am trying to have more of a regular posting schedule. While I’m sure you have heard me bang on about how I hate writing for the sake of writing etc. but nonetheless I have recently had an outpouring of various travel-y ideas, and so as not to overwhelm you all, at the beginning of each week – usually a Monday evening – a new post will be published on my site. I have a large backlog of drafts saved and a couple of trips in the pipeline so hopefully, this will be enough to keep you all reading and enjoying my content, and like I said, many London posts too!

This weekend I went to FriendsFest in Kennington Park, basically a day out with all things Friends, and made a trip to the British Museum for the latest Ian Hislop exhibition which I could not recommend enough. I’m thinking, like Paris, I should maybe make a London list, what do you think? I am going to be here for the next two years at least so if you’ve got any suggestions of cool and underrated things to do in London, let me know!

I’m also trying to put together an itinerary for when Harley and Morgan come for graduation at Christmas – a Paris reunion in London!

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Slapping on the Sunscreen in St Ives

It is coming to the end of the summer and supposedly the end of the nice weather (?) but with climate change who knows anymore!

Surprisingly, I can’t believe I have never done a post on St Ives. It's crazy to me because ever since I was probably about 5 years old my family has gone down to St Ives in Cornwall every summer for the school holidays without fail. They love it so much that we actually have a house there – how very middle class!

Anyway, I would like to share with you lovely people the wonder that is St Ives. For all my non-UK readers, St Ives is located in the English county of Cornwall, the bit in the south that sticks out right at the bottom, so it is on the coast which means miles of beautiful sandy beaches!

During the school summer holidays, St Ives is always absolutely rammed with holidaymakers who decided not to go abroad but wanted a UK holiday all the same. With its 4 large beaches, St Ives is very popular with surfers, home to the St Ives Surf School, but all other water sports are available too. Although it is still the Atlantic in the UK so a wetsuit is definitely advised!

If you wander the streets of St Ives, you will find the embodiment of all English beach holidays, from the oversized ice creams (look out for the seagulls), the traditional Cornish pasties and cream teas to the fish and chips and smell of sea salt in the air, it is a joy to behold (better when there are fewer people there of course!)

Having spent every summer there when I was younger, I like to think I am somewhat an expert on St Ives, so my top restaurant recommendations would be:

-          Porthmister Beach Café

-          Blas Burgerworks

-          The Seafood Café

-          Harbour Fish & Chips

-          Porthmeor Beach Café (for breakfast and tapas)

But there are over 50 restaurants tucked away in the few tiny cobbled streets of St Ives so there is something for everyone.

What often brings the crowds to St Ives is The Tate Gallery, one of three in the country, the others being the Tate Modern and Tate Britain in London, the Tate St Ives is an imposing building overlooking Porthmeor beach, and while worth a visit, there is so much more to St Ives than this.

If you are looking for some evening entertainment for all the family then be sure to check out performances from the amateur company, Kids R Us, who can be found opposite the old cinema. They are a registered charity but the standard of performance will make you feel like you are in the West End!

If you want to know any more about St Ives  just get in touch, I can tell you where to stay, etc.

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

I have an announcement!

I promised this announcement quite a while ago now, and actually, the news I had to share has changed somewhat.

After my last post about the internship I did at the British Red Cross, I have now been offered a job there – although thankfully not in fundraising! While I’m not knocking it at all, they all do very good work; it is just not for me. This job is working as a Technical Team Assistant for the International Directorate so it is more to do with the actual projects that BRC does rather than raising money for them. It is only a 4-month contract so will run until December but this actually works out well for me as it means that I will be free when Harley and Morgan come to London for graduation – so that’s really exciting!

My other good news is that finally, finally, I think we have got a house sorted. I don’t want to get ahead of myself too much because the last house that we put a holding deposit down for fell through after about a week but I have a better feeling about this one. So there is now the fun of beginning to pack up all my stuff, but by the end of the month, I will be finally living in London!! I’m so excited, and this house is so beautiful, we can just move straight in, nothing needs to be done, everything is so perfect, I don’t want to jinx it but if we can pull this off I will be living on cloud nine.

Also, ANOTHER great bit of news that I have been trying to keep under wraps is that I have been approached by STA Travel, just about my favourite travel company (that I can afford), to work with them in a collaboration or two, so look out for your favourite Basic Traveller posts coming at you from the STA Education blog, I am hoping that this will lead on to some bigger and better things for this blog too. Let's make it a well-established spot on the map, eh? Although I can't do it without your help, so get hashtagging, tweets, and sharing as many posts as you can and if you send me a message with a screenshot of this, I'll send you some Basic Traveller goodies!

What’s all your news? Get in touch and tell me what you are up to? Anyone else had any housing disaster stories??

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Inside the Internship: The British Red Cross

This title makes this post seem like it is a secret expose with some huge scandal. I wish it was, but hold onto your seats ladies and gentlemen because this is going to get exciting! It is the long awaited post I know you have all been waiting for – all about my recent 3 month internship at the British Red Cross.

I know, I doubt many of you are actually interested in this, so feel free to just scroll to the end, it won’t be long and I won’t be offended!

While I was at BRC I worked in the Restricted Funding team (no, I had no idea what that meant either) but essentially, from what I have understood, this team collects together restricted ‘asks’ (specific allocations of money that go to specific products) and then write up all the documents for this to pass on to other high value giving teams (Corporate, Philanthropy, etc). There is a lot of copy writing as part of it and so many spreadsheets.

My first month here was pretty good, really interesting and I had a lot of different things to write and decipher, a bit of a learning curve but definitely manageable. What I found the best was the fact we were responding to real life, in the moment situations, like writing reports for the disaster fund on the recent Guatemalan volcano eruption or the recent violence in Gaza – that was pretty cool.

My experience here has been invaluable, but as it was an unpaid internship there is only so much value in working for free, so I am glad it is over now.  

Have you guys done any internship you would or wouldn’t recommend? Get in touch and let me know!

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx  

Masters Sum Up Post

You knew it would be coming, it had to be coming at some point soon, and in an effort not to finish my dissertation I have had a moment of clarity in my blog-writer’s-blog-lack-of-things-to-write-thing that is going on at the moment. So if all goes to plan I will have at least a few more posts in the upcoming weeks rather than the silence like the first half of the summer.

I thought it might be worth doing a Masters sum up post and reflection on how my last (educational) year has been – this will also tie in with a big announcement post that I am hoping to release a couple of weeks from now, so stay tuned!

As all of you will know in great detail (and if you don’t where have you been the last year and a half?) I moved to Paris at the beginning of last September to do my masters in International Relations. If you cast your minds back, about June time of last year I was having a proper life crisis as I was leaving Royal Holloway, my home for the previous three years, and I had no idea what to do with my life. Flash forward to no, so much has changed, and I don’t regret any of it for a second, but what is the point in doing a masters, and is it really worth it?

Well, first of all, let me write a disclaimer that this is no way at all meant to disparage anyone’s choice to do a degree, masters or not – just what I think about it all for me. For some people doing a master’s my even be a necessary evil in this day and age – for example in psychology to achieve qualification in your specialism it helps to do a masters. But for me, an average 2:1 English and Classics graduate, what was the point?

Well, honestly, there really wasn’t one. I could have got a job, and for a while that is what I decided I was going to do, I even managed to get a few interviews. I could have taken a gap year once again to either earn some money or live at home or go travelling, whatever. I am lucky that all these options would have been open to me. For me, doing a masters was a chance to combine education and travel by going to Paris. 

Yes, it cost and arm and a leg (but working 5 jobs in 3^rd year I think qualified me to do this) and as uncool as it sounds, I have always loved learning and becoming more and more qualified – as much as I can be. I think it is part of my obsessive personality that I always need to have more and more certificates and qualifications, even in silly things like singing grading or karate belts when I was younger.

Also, for me, doing a masters was a chance to change subjects, from English and Classical Studies to International Relations was not a massive jump as they are both essay-based humanities subject, but there was still a bit of a learning curve – understanding how all the theories worked and were supposed to be used – to be able to analysis rather than just describe certain events. It was hard work, don’t get me wrong, but personally I didn’t think it was any harder than 3^rd year, except there was more of it.

Coming to the last 5 weeks or so of dissertation writing has made me realise how much I do really love learning, writing and asking questions, but I am honestly not going to miss this damn essay and the nagging feeling that there is always something else to do!

What about a PhD you say? Well, maybe one day when my rich and famous singing career is over!

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

#newyearnewme

Welcome to 2018!

I know last year I said that I wasn't one for always writing overly-motivational posts but there is just something about this year that fills me with a little bit more hope than the last few years... I mean pretty much what could go wrong went wrong in 2016 and 2017, so I think beginning 2018 globally in a more positive way has got to be a good thing, right?

While I'm not one for resolutions, the #newyearnewme was a running joke in my old uni house, shout out 35! Anyway, I'm still not going to make resolutions in the formal sense because let's face it, I have never managed to keep one ever, that doesn't stop me from using the beginning of 2018 to set a few unmeasurable goals.

I think the biggest thing for me over the next few months is the fall back in love with Paris again. There was a point in the last term (around the time when I got my phone stolen) that I was tolerating Paris, it was just somewhere I needed to be for a year to get my Masters and move on, but there is nothing like a few weeks away to get me back into the French way of life. I have made a new and improved Paris list that is growing as long as my arm so I'll look forward to sharing posts about that with you all over the coming weeks. Making the most of being in France, I am making a 2018 goal to try even more to become conversationally fluent in French - I'm getting there - but all that grammar though! Another thing to look forward to, maybe that's the wrong way of looking at it, but Harley and I are going to spend some time up in Calais working with the refugees stuck at the border, further displaced after authorities tore down 'The Jungle'. It's going to be really interesting and hopefully, I can make a difference for at least someone who is stuck in poverty simply because of where they are born - hopefully I can use my privilege for something good.

Also, I'm going to complete my Masters this year - I feel like I've only just started and in 3 months all formal teaching will be over! And I'm going to have to get a proper adult job, I'm not sure I can actually put it off even longer, although I'm also going to try and squeeze in a trip to visit Sabrina in China over the summer while I still have the free time -  so not completely giving up on travelling just yet!

Another goal for this year is to try something new and really give it a go - I'm not sure what this is going to be but I've got a few ideas in the works so I'll let you all know when I've got this little project up and running.

2017 was a difficult year for many people, and personally, it was tough for me losing my grandad, leaving the comforts of uni and moving to another country - but we just have to hope these things will make us all that little be stronger in the end.

What's your #newyearnewme goal?

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Writing about Writing

Last week I went to a careers seminar with a selection of alumni from the English department who came back to speak to us about careers in writing and the publishing industry. I went along because I wanted to see if they had an advice and top tips on how to land yourself a job in publishing because it can be really hard. I was so pleased with the work experience placement I managed to land myself at Scholastic last summer so I was hoping to see if these alumni could also help me decide if publishing would be something I would actually want to do full time.

Although it did not get me any closer to deciding what I want to do all it has slightly made me question my decision about doing a Masters degree straight out of university. My big news, that many of you already know, is that about a month ago I decided that I was going to accept my offer to study International Relations at ULIP in Paris for a year. This is still what I am planning to do. However, the prospect of applying for a job at Scholastic where I did my work experience is more than tempting. They currently have an Editorial Assistant's position available which would be ideal for me. Working in Children's books would be so much fun and it would be really great to not study anymore and actually earn some decent money for a change. So part of my wants to do this and sack off the Masters for a couple of years, but on the other hand I keep thinking that I can always work at some point and as I'm going to be most likely working for the next 50 years of my life why not take a year to do a Masters, live in Paris and travel a bit, I wouldn't do it otherwise, would I?

So you see, dear readers, I am in a bit of a pickle. Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely problem to have, but a problem nonetheless. Although I am getting ahead of myself, I haven't even got the job yet! But is it worth applying... One thing is for sure, though, that the careers seminar did remind me is how much I like writing. I don't mean writing essays or stories or anything, I mean writing chatty blog posts and vaguely informative travel pieces. I mean that would be my ideal job, to be a travel journalist but I'm not sure I could deal with the lack of stability within my work, not knowing where the next pay cheque is going to come from. Anyway, it's food for thought...

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Working Girl

Now I've got your attention, I'm sorry to say this post is not revealing that I have suddenly decided to become an escort, let's be honest, I'd be out of your price range anyhow.

No, unfortunately, I've just been working a hell of a lot, as every third-year university student around this time of year. If it hasn't already been handed in, the dreaded dissertation has started to rear its ugly head and needs as much attention as it can be given while trying to juggle every other essay, all of which seem to have the same deadline, along with impending exams appearing over the horizon of Easter break. All this madness, combined with the fact that nearly everyone I know has some form of part-time job along with sports or society commitments, it is official, in third year there is no time anymore.

I find myself thinking in weeks ahead rather than days anymore and having to schedule meetings with friends either at the last second or weeks in advance, just to make sure our plans actually happen.

In all of this, I think we need to make sure we set aside some time for ourselves, just to breathe. I know saying that is fairly hypocritical coming from me as I never let myself stop, partly because I don't want to, but also because I get really bored doing nothing and need something productive to do. That was really part of the point of this blog in the beginning.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that its okay to be busy, but make sure you are busy with what is making you happy and enjoy the feeling of being busy, but do let yourself stop once in a while and take stock of everything and be proud of what you've managed to achieve. But don't forget your friends and family on the way around, they'll need to be scheduled into your busy life too!

Have a busy, productive and amazing week my lovelies,

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Let's Talk about Politics

Even the title of this post already fills me with dread. I know I am no way qualified to talk about politics, but in this day and age with the media storm that surrounds politics all over the world, who really is qualified to talk about politics anymore?

What can I say except sigh and throw my hands up in the air in true exasperation? Everyone knows the situation, it feels like the apocalypse has come, Donald Trump is President, Theresa May is a wet blanket, the opposition in Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party is useless, the NHS is going to shit and the only two lights in the darkness are Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and my favourite politician, Justin Trudeau, but even they can't seem to stop this chaos.

When Trump was elected I was disappointed, but then what was the alternative? Clinton wasn't much of a better candidate, and none of the other options for Republican or Democrat nominee was a good practical choice either. The same could be said over here, both the Tory and Labour leadership races had no real candidate of personality shining through. So when did all our politicians get so boring? And why are we surrounded by more of the same middle/ upper-class white men (and occasionally women) who couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery and have the personality of a dirty sponge. Why does it seem that there are simply no other options?

Love Trumps Hate

In a fabulous world where we are progressing by the day towards a future of freedom and equality, why does it suddenly feel so archaic? Trump's ruling on women's abortions and the Muslim ban announced this week are so similar to the Augustan rule over 2000 years ago that the similarities aren't even funny anymore. Women are suppressed and being told how to live their lives by someone unqualified to do so echoing back to Augustus' familial laws introduced to promote family growth and prevent adultery. While the regulation of people entering the country is so similar to the restrictions of those who could live in the eternal city of Rome it is scary. Why are we making less progress in 2017 than citizens of the ancient world in 18BC? It might be the classics student in me, but frankly, I'm not okay with these comparisons, I could go on.

So what can we do? It might feel futile for an ordinary, everyday person like you and me who are so overwhelmed by what is happening that all you want to do is curl up and hide in a corner until it is all over. We've gotta stay strong and it is really the little things that will make the world of difference. Go to that protest march, sign that petition, make your voice heard, retweet that hashtag on Twitter, tell your friends about that article you saw on Facebook, keep talking and tell everyone who will listen to spread the word. Yes, these people may have been voted for, but I didn't vote for them and I don't agree with them, He is not my President, She is not my Prime Minister, They do not represent me. If we can call this democracy, and we have a right to it, then surely we have a right to protest and be heard.

He is not my President, She is not my Prime Minister, They do not represent me

However, the most important thing in this is to love each other. Love each other as we have been doing all our lives. Don't judge people on their views and opinions, everyone has a reason for why they think and act the way they do, love them anyway, it's the only way we can hope to repair our countries and relations with the rest of the world. Hold hope that love can mend us piece by piece, for it is all we can do right now. But like I said, how am I qualified to talk about politics anyway?

Lots of love to you all my dear readers, from the bottom of my heart.

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Kate's Fav Books: A Review

Here is a rundown of some of my all-time favourite books and some of the ones I have recently read. I would highly recommend them all if you've got a few spare hours, but they are all very different from each other.

• The Book Thief, Markus Zusak: The Book Thief has to be one of my favourite books as the first time I read it I fell in love with it. Following the story of a young girl in Nazi Germany, and told with Death as the narrator, this book is a dark tale of adventure and history that stays with you long after finishing the last page. Although not a book to read to cheer you up, it is beautifully written and leaves a lasting memory. 

• Birdsong, Sebastien Faulks: What can I say about Birdsong, although I had to read and study this book for A-level English Literature, it made it even better. Sebastien Faulks adds a tragic beauty to the setting of WW1 (can you see a fictional history obsession going on here). I really need to read this book again but from what I remember the intertwining between love and war really sets this book apart from any others. I think it will be the next book I will tackle.

• Room, Emma Donoghue: While this book has been just turned into a film, and unfortunately I didn't get the chance to see it, it was an amazing read. Not an uplifting or cheerful book at all, surrounding the story of Ma and her son who have been trapped in 'Room' by a man who could only be described as a psychopath. The book follows Ma and Jack, told from Jack's perspective as they escape their captor and adjust to the outside world, and how the outside world adjusts to them. This book is not for the faint-hearted, and I know many people who have read it and not liked it. Personally, although I know it covers a really tough subject matter, I find it so interesting, and would highly recommend it.

• Elsewhere, Gabrielle Zevin: I found this book while staying at one of my oldest friend's houses and I began reading it and couldn't put it down. As a young girl who used to be terrified of death and people dying, this book brought me a lot of peace. The beautiful story of a girl who tragically dies in a car accident aged 16, Elsewhere presents the idea that when we die we to go a place like earth where all those had died are. From here you live, like you did in life but age backwards, getting to age zero, you are then born again back to earth as a newborn baby and start life again. This beautiful idea really reassured me, not that there is life after death, but that there is something and that we will see our loved ones again. Zevin writes with heartbreaking beauty making this book almost like poetry, it is one that I will always have on my bookshelf.

• The Radical Practice of Loving Everyone, Michael J. Chase: This book was given to me by one of my best friends and I have read it twice in about 6 months and each time I have read it in about 24 hours. Unlike most of the other books on my list this book is not a work of fiction, nor does it follow a story, but is filled with many stories from Chase on how we can learn to love everyone. Chase bases his philosophy and stories on the observed practices of his dog, Mollie, and how she treats everyone, especially strangers, with equal kindness. While reading this book, both times actually, it made me consider how I live my life, and what I can do to treat everyone like Mollie does.  

• Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling: I couldn't write a list of my favourite books and not include the Harry Potter books. Everyone knows how amazing they are so I don't really need to explain, and if you haven't read at least one of the books in this series, what have you been doing with your life and have you been living under a rock?! I was so obsessed with these books that I even queued up at midnight to get the last book. I really hope the hype around Harry Potter never fades, it was a key part of my childhood and I really hope it will be something that I can pass on to my children and grandchildren someday. 

• Michael McIntyre: Live and Laughing, Michael McIntyre: Although this book is an autobiography, it is the book I turn to when I am feeling down or in need of a laugh. Michael McIntyre is one of my favourite comedians and having seen him live twice, I had high expectations for this book and I wasn't disappointed. He takes you through the highs and lows of his life and how he made it as a comedian, pretty much what you would expect but with funny stories along the way. This is one of the first books that has genuinely made me laugh out loud so I have to read this book alone, else my housemates will think I am crazier than I am already am.

So there you have it, a few of my top book choices if you find yourself at a spare end I would suggest digging into one of these bad boys and they should provide a few hours of entertainment. Let me know what your favourite books are of if you have any recommendations, I'm always looking for new books to add to my list.

Have a great week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

A Very British Summer

Well after the silence of the last few months, and after the slightly downhearted note of the past few posts, I thought it was time for an update. Although I've mostly been at work this holiday, the best part so far was going to visit Sabrina in deepest darkest Wales, or Haverfordwest as she calls it. 
Elliott and I drove up to Wales on our road trip to visit her, crossing the Severn Bridge (I thought we were flying), after spotting sheep and listening to the Vaccines too many times we made it there, and although we weren't there for long it was an awesome few days. My highlights were definitely getting caught by a giant wave while we were paddling at Newgale, eating Fish & Chips in St Davids, drinking lots of wine, watching endless ghosts programmes and Sabrina's Antipasti. We were well classy :)

This little holiday just reminded me how excited I was to move into our house at uni, so I never thought I would say this but roll on September! 

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

These are a few of my favourite things...

Now a little while ago I wrote a post about me and I included a few things that I enjoy but being inspired by The Sound of Music, apparently my favourite film as a child, I wanted to share a few of my favourite things that always cause me to smile, I'm sure there is more but here is a short selection.

• Being a sappy child: anything that anyone does that shows they've made an effort to think about me makes me so happy. My flatmates made me a beautiful book for my birthday about all the times we've had here so far, it was so perfect.
• Singing: any kind of sing-song, whether in tune or not is brilliant. Songs, to me, are a sign of pure happiness, and that you are comfortable enough to sing in front of me means we must be really great friends. 
• Laughing: and I don't just mean a little chuckle or giggle (although that is good too) I love the pure uncensored spontaneous laugh that just echoes around the room with joy and happiness. The stranger, high pitched, squeaky, mad sounds you make the better.
• Hand-written notes: Again this is the personal touch, the effort that someone has gone to write to me means so much.
• The freedom of travelling: Going somewhere new and exciting has to be one of the best parts of life, having the opportunity to just get on a plane and be somewhere completely different and it still being the same day it totally amazing.
• Flowers: Everyone knows girls love flowers, but I really really love flowers, the beauty of something so temporary is really fascinating, plus I like the pretty colours ;)
• Friends: the TV show and my actual friends, there aren't enough words to describe how I feel about both.
• Sarcasm: one of the lowest forms of wit apparently, but I think it is one of the cleverest forms of humour, if you can take the sarcasm and give it out we will get along well.
• Tea: I can't remember what my record it but I think it is close to 10 in a day, I think I may be addicted to tea but there's nothing better than a good cuppa at the end, middle or beginning of the day.
• Driving: I've mentioned this one before but I gotta say it again because I love driving, a nice day, some great tunes and an open road, sounds cliched but so much fun.
• Clumsy People: I love clumsy people because then I know I am not alone in the world, constantly injuring myself is an art I seem to have perfected. Clumsy people are generally brilliant to laugh with as they have had to learn to laugh at themselves too much to disguise that falling over did actually hurt more than you are letting on. 
• Surprises: So I had a surprise birthday party for my 18th and I am such a control freak that it scared me, but since then I have learnt to love them. And for me, I really love planning surprises for other people.

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Katee xxx

What makes you Strong? (with a capital S)

So over the past couple of days, in light of what happened to Dad, the word "Strong" has been tossed around a lot. It got me thinking, what is "Strong" and what makes us "Strong". See, I don't know if I would say I'm Strong, I think it is pretty hard to judge for yourself, I do my best anyway.

Is it smiling in the face of adversity?
Is it picking yourself up after a hard day and carrying on?
Is it not crying when all you want to do it cry?
Is it crying when all you want to do is keep it in?
Is it keeping it in?
Is it not keeping it in?
Is it being there for someone when they need you?
Is it being the person everyone knows they can rely on, the rock?
Is it holding everything together when those around you can't?
Is it learning from your mistakes?
Is it holding your hands up when you are wrong?
Is it facing the day when you want to stay in bed?
Is it lifting that extra 5kg in the gym?
Is it going for that run that you've been putting off for weeks?
Is it saying no to that last piece of chocolate?
Is it doing that thing that makes you scared the most?
Is it saying fuck it and talking to that person you've been to nervous to talk to?
Is it finally booking that plane ticket and getting away like you've always dreamed of?
Is it reading that book you've been meaning too since last summer?
Is it saying yes when you would normally say no?
Or is it just singing and dancing your way through the day?

It could be a number of things, and a combination of amazing qualities that we all possess that take time to develop and grow and slowly, bit by bit, we get stronger and stronger, dealing with all the shit that may fall in our path, blindsiding you when you least expect it. I like the idea that as we get older we get stronger and wiser but somehow I think I'm going to be just as mad then as I am now but hopefully stronger.

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

About Me

A little bit of news before I get onto the main topic of this post. Today my first ever proper article was published by The Tab. Okay so it has been tweaked by the editor quite a bit but most of it is mine and I'm very excited to show you it here!

Today I realised I have had this blog for nearly 3 years and yet looking back to the beginning I never properly introduced myself. So here goes, 3 years late:

Hi, I'm Kate, I am 20 years old and am a student at Royal Holloway, University of London where I study English and Classical Studies. I started this blog as a way to remember my time in hospital, which granted is a weird thing to want to remember but now I'm glad I started it because it allows me to remember my story and hopefully lets anyone else who is mad enough to read it too.

1) I love driving. There I said it. Many of my passengers would probably love to disagree with me but I think I'm not too bad at it either. There is just something about the freedom that driving brings you that is unlike anything else.

2) I am very much a savoury person over sweet - pass me a bag of crisps over chocolate any day!

3) I once had an argument (albeit very brief) on Twitter with Louisa Zissman, the Apprentice candidate about foreign languages, needless to say, I won.

4) I am probably one of the clumsiest people you will ever meet, and my flatmates bought me an adult bib with my name on it just to prove it.

5) When I went travelling I got to experience such amazing things and have such a great time, but it also taught me so much about self-reliance and independence. There were some of the loneliest points I've ever had, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

6) I want to retire to Cornwall and eat pastries and ice cream every day

7) I am 5'10 bordering on 5'11 and have size 9/10 feet which (I think) qualifies me to be a man and therefore can never ever wear heels which I am secretly pleased about.

8) Wherever I go I am always official bug and spider killer as I find them interesting not scary.

9) When I was younger I loved to read, which is why I am so uneducated when it comes to films, Lord of the Rings, Jaws, Titanic, Shawshank, haven't seen any of them!

10) I love my flatmates to bits and can't wait to be back at uni with them (once exams are over of course)

Now I have to dash off to work but I hope you enjoyed reading a little bit more about me!

Have a great week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Dreams

I don't know what it is, but recently I have been feeling very excited and I couldn't quite put my finger on it, what is it I am looking forward to? And then it hit me. I am so excited for the future. I've never really thought about what I really want to do with my life, I don't have any career aspirations or plans, but one thing I can't wait for is my future family. It is amazing to think that hopefully my future husband is somewhere out there, whether I know him or not, and he will be half of my future children and I just can't wait. 
To some people I know domestic life sounds like hell, being stuck in one place or the same job etc, but to me, I can't wait. I am so excited to be able to sit down with my family at dinner, picking children up from school, going on family holidays, and I know this sounds terribly idealistic and dreamy but to me, this is my dream. 
It's not like I'm planning to be a wife from the 50s, I am going to have a career, whatever that may be, but to me as important as that will be, my family is what I am excited for.

So this got me thinking, I wonder if anyone else has ever thought like this. For me, a husband and children are what I want and I would never think of anything else. But of course there are people who would not want to get married or have children, and I was just curious how they decided that. I mean I never really decided, it was just a sort of given but what if when it comes down to it I change my mind, or that it never happens. That's the trouble with big dreams, there is no way of knowing whether they will ever come true. I really hope I have the chance to be a wife and a mum, and positive thinking will get you everywhere, but what if it doesn't happen, what is plan B. 

I think if it doesn't happen I will try to travel as much as possible. I know that sounds cliche but travelling with friends is also another one of my dreams. I have travelled alone to all these amazing places and will take every opportunity to go anywhere new, but I don't think there is much better than going to such incredible places with amazing people that you love. 

Obviously dreams like these are the classic wishy-washy ones like 'I want to be a millionaire' but considering we only get one shot at this life, might as well make it one that you are happy with, proud of and full of fulfilled dreams, no matter what they are. One person's dream to you may sound like boring hell to you, but it is still their dream. 
So don't rain on their parade, help them dance in the rain. 

Have a great week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

Pablo Neruda

So today I had my last English Foundation Tutorial session which was quite sad as I have grown to love all the girls in my group but Sarah shared this really amazing poem by Pablo Neruda, who I have never heard of before, but it really struck a chord with me so I thought I would share it with you all. It is honest and true and makes sense all at the same time while speaking absolute nonsense. It is brilliant and I love it and it sums up how I quite often think and feel right now even when I don't. Also, the original Spanish is beautiful too so I thought I would include it at the bottom.

I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You

I do not love you except because I love you;

I go from loving you to not loving you,

From waiting to not waiting for you

My heart moves from cold to fire.

I love you only because it's you the one I love;

I hate you deeply and hating you

Bend to you, and the measure of my changing love for you

Is that I do not see you but love you blindly.

Maybe January light will ensue

My heart with its cruel

Ray, stealing my key to true calm.

In this part of the story, I am the one who

Dies, the only one, and I will die of love because I love you.

Because I love you, Love, in fire and blood.

Spanish Original

No te quiero sino porque te quiero

y de quererte a no quererte llego

y de esperarte cuando no te espero

pasa mi corazón del frío al fuego.

Te quiero solo porque a ti te quiero,

te odio sin fin, y odiandote te ruego,

y la medida de mi amor viajero

es no verte y amarte como un ciego.

Tal vez consumira la luz de Enero,

su rayo cruel, mi corazón entero,

robandome la llave del sosiego.

En esta historia solo yo me muero

y morire de amor porque te quiero,

porque te quiero, amor, a sangre y fuego.

And although I'm not going to pretend I understand Spanish at all, I have been told that the English translation doesn't do it justice in its literal translation of the beauty with which the words are selected. I apologise for going all English student-y but don't you think it is just lovely? Well, I do anyway.

Time for a quick Kate update, well not much is going on at the moment, I'm still at University, they haven't realised they've made a huge mistake yet and kicked me out, thank god! 

Occasionally I have these desires to quit everything here and just get on a plane like last year but then I realise I have actual commitments and responsibilities here and can't let anyone down. That's one thing I really can't do. Plus I think I should kinda get my degree first before I go running off again. Um, what else. I'm thinking I will probably go back to South Africa in the summer if I can get enough money together again, probably with Real Gap again, just because that way I will be with a group of people again. 

Oh yeah, and I am so so excited to be moving into my new house in July. I've been looking forward to it ever since we signed the contracts but it has lately dawned on me just how awesome it is going to be living with/next to some of my favourite people living in my own real life house where I can play mum and look after everyone and cook group meals for us all and play day trips...oh and did I mention somewhere in all this dreaming there will be actual real work to do. 

Another point that I'm really enjoying at the moment is my job as a Student Ambassador. To begin with, I wasn't really that keen on it but as the year has progressed I have gotten to know people and it has also made me much more approachable in myself and I feel much more confident from it. So it has to be a good thing - right!? Although I don't appreciate the early mornings, or standing in the cold for hours so your feet hurt, or wearing the horrible orange t-shirts... did I mention how much I love it?

Well, I guess it should be time for me to sign off now, I still haven't finished my reading, I'm tired, going to do the radio show tomorrow morning with Sabrina and have to get up early for that, but the likelihood of me going to sleep right now is slim to none. Ah well, that's student life for you - my current excuse for everything at the moment!!

Have a great week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx