I'm Back

Hi (:

So I’m back from Spain. I’ve been back for a few days, but I’ve been busy unpacking, working and trying to get my head in gear for the coming new school year-my last ever!

Morira, which is where my family go in Spain just seems to get more and more lovely every year. It has enough of a tourist industry for people to understand slightly bad Spanish, but it isn’t like you can’t move for English people. I got a little sad on our last night, as next year we’re planning a holiday somewhere else, and I realised that the chances of me coming back to a place I’ve been going to since I was six were getting smaller.

My AS-Level results weren’t quite what I wanted them to be, but I think if the same happens next year I would make the (hypothetical) offers of the university’s I’m looking at as insurance choices, which is still good.

I read all bar one of the books I mentioned here, I’m still on the go with The Lacuna, but I’m really enjoying it so far. So over the next couple of days I’ll tap up some reviews of them for you. As a warning, they’ll probably be brief as I forgot to make notes on them when I was reading, and a couple of the books remain in Spain.

The End of Year 12

I cannot believe that this year has gone by so quickly. I tend to think of things in terms of academic year (September-July) as opposed to calender year, and this one has gone so, so fast.

Being in sixth form has been crazy, the benefits (NEVER HAVING TO DO MATHS AGAIN, no uniform [kind of], free periods) have occasionally been outweighed by the negatives (so. much. work; so much. pressure; teachers that insist on still treating us like five year olds), but all in all it has been an amazing experience.

I know I've grown up a lot over the past year and changed a lot, I think for the better. I'm no longer afraid of voicing my opinion, I have actually stood up and given presentations in front of people without wanting to faint, I've got a job which (despite the fact I am constantly told I am rubbish at) has helped me gain confidence and I have some great old & new friends who are happy to let me be exactly who I am, as opposed to who they want me to be.

So, here are some brief things that happened/things you should know about Year 12.

• Believe people when they say there is a huge leap between GCSE and A-Level. I didn't and for the first few lessons I didn't get the fuss-then the work piled (and piled) on
• So it helps to be organised-get a planner, learn time management, try and prevent procrastination (something I am awful at).
• Try and put aside some time each day for school work. I know it sounds uncool, but it is so helpful. I stay after school from 3.40 until 5 as I get a lift home with my Mum and since I started doing that I got so much more done
• REVISEREVISEREVISEREVISE for your exams
• If you can, take the AQA Extended Project. Its basically a research piece of anything you like, mine was on theatre and I really enjoyed doing it.
• I got a job this year. Although there are times when I really, really don't enjoy it and I occasionally miss my weekends; I think recently I've come out of my shell and have met some really fun people.
• Having a job = having my own money. Before I got £20 a month from the parents, and now I have my own supply I feel so much more independant.
• I saw a production of Rent, one of my favourite musicals. Even if it was a youth amateur theatre group that did it, it was really really good
• I also saw Les Miserables, which was wonderful!!
• I visited three universities, all of which were very different, but it was so interesting to finally see what they are really like
• I went to London with a friend and stayed there overnight, and it was great
• Whilst in London, I went to the Royal Albert Hall, which was also amazing. And now, when the Proms are on, I can say 'I'VE BEEN THERE!'
• Also went to Alton Towers with the friends, and went on Nemisis (the big ride I didn't go on first time round) and came off unable to walk in a straight line. Was going to brave Thirteen but it was BROKEN.
• I've made friends with lots of new people to school, which is great (:
• I also actually *speak* to a lot more people in my year than before-especially within my English and French class
• I'm a member of Amnesty and I can stand up and debate in front of total strangers and not get (too) toungetied
• I leafleted for the Liberal Democrats in the election
• I ate a some of a blue pancake

I'm sure so many more things happened along the way. Despite the stress, this year has been so, so much better than either Year 10 or Year 11, especially once I hit about February, I'd been feeling down about stuff that happened at the start of our super long 2009 holiday, and I finally managed to pull myself together.

Year 13 is even more big and scary. It will be my last ever year of school. And that is terrifying! But! I have a month, a week and a bit before I have to go back and I plan on relaxing as much as possible this holiday (:

(PS. Totally different tone in this entry to the reviews, right? I was going to do a deeper blog, but really, this year has been too nice to get deep into anything!)

1 Exam Down....

So, today could have been my last ever French exam. Weirdly, in general, I have *no* idea how I've done in it. At all.

Whilst I continue to puzzle out what I want to put on this site....my blogroll pretty much represents the stuff I like politics-theatre-books-fashion...I need to try and work out a way to combine them all...hmmm...

Anyway...this song makes me feel really summery. So, I thought I'd share it:

I feel exhausted. This may be something to do with the fact that I got up at five to do some revision before heading off to work.

And then work was an epic headache. Which ended with me leaving and telling my parents I didn't want to stay anymore because it makes me miserable, when frankly, my exams are far far more important. This lead to my mother ringing work and talking to one of managers. Wonderful. I think I'll sneak in on Wednesday.

I also need to get hold of an England-related T-Shirt to wear. Apparently we have to support the world cup. Even if we think that it is morally wrong that a country with such a poor standard of living for so many people should host it (also my feelings on Brazil having the Olympics). But, whatever.

I've nearly finished my Russia history revision. Just got America, Tudors, French, RS, Pride & Prejudice, The Yellow Wallpaper and poetry to revise now -.-. I should have started in February.

For laughs?

This Orient

Apologies (to my fewww readers) for being somewhat MIA from the blog recently. I'm hitting the wonder that is exam season, having had my French speaking exam on Monday (and getting stupidly tounge-tied) and its difficult to focus on anything but History information at the moment...alongside some work-releated trauma...

But, I download Foals' Total Life Forever after my exam, as a well done for not compleatly failing, and I love it...so I shall leave you with one of the songs:

A Small Rant

Dear My History Class (most of you),

Whilst I appreciate that you, and your peers, may find the Tudors insufferable. I appreciate that you may find old history slightly more challenging. I appreciate that you may not be filled with joy at having to do the Tudors next year.

BUT.

I will not be made to feel guilty for refusing to sign you letter demanding that we change the course. We all made our decision to study History at A-Level knowing the course syllabus. I have been on the course website and looked up the course that you wish to replace our current one with and it is exactly the same as our GCSE course. Whilst you may feel that this strengthens your chances of passing your A2, it will also strenghten your chances of getting incredibly bored (again) when you realise that you have already done the work.

So no. I will not be signing your petition. Because I personally think that studying Mary Tudor will be really interesting. Plus we get to look at politics. Yes please.

Yours sincerely,
Amy

This Week

Wednesday

This, my dear friends, is London School of Economics & Political Sciences (phew) library. Isn't it amazing!? I didn't manage to see it in person on Wednesday, due to timing etc, but it's pretty darn impressive in picture form. LSE itself was pretty darn impressive, I attended talks on Government (which is so-called as the founders intended the course to be for people that want to govern) and Social Policy (which was fascinating), as well as one on applying (75% academic and 25% extra-curricular information in your personal statement).
I really loved the place. It's in pretty much central London, you can walk to Covent Garden. It's near some of the most presitigious law firms in London, as well as being in easy reach of the City and of Westminster, with internships avaliable for all of those places. It has it's very own Waterstones [where I bought The Master & Margarita], and the accomodation I saw in Holborn was suprisingly big-but expensive.
LSE isn't my favourite course wise, but it was a great place, and the fact the lecturers kept stressing the academic quality of it didn't bother me so much-my school spends a lot of time reminding us how academic they are (I should be writing my English coursework now, but hey). I sort of felt like I'd fit in there...Next up is Warwick on the 8th May and Birmingham on the 25th June.

Thursday

I was hoping to get hold of one of my friends' huge collection of photos (which featured London Tourist, Policeman-Holding-Machine-Gun, London Business Man, BBC Man), but she hasn't uploaded them as of yet. So this is stolen from Google-but it has the right weather...
We went off to a French Conference in a church (for some reason) in London, very very close to Westminster. Lots of very important (and some handsome) suited guys walking around-using free newspapers as umbrellas. Ate too much chocolate. Learnt how to play 21 (the serious way) and Irish Snap on the train. Was served by a very pierced barista in Cafe Nero. Came to the conclusion that London is more fun with friends.
I don't really remember much from the French conference, apart from the fact that French music is awful and French men are really exuberant. Oh, and private-schooled London teenagers are brilliant at French.

Tonight? I'll be spend time with my Mum, popcorn, Ben & Jerry's and the first disc of the first series of The West Wing.
Weekend? Extended Project presentation and English coursework on Hamlet and Duchess of Malfi

Forgive Me Blogosphere...

I have been a Bad Blogger (note the capitals) of late. Indeed, I haven't posted since I was 16! (though, that was only a couple of weeks ago).

So what on earth have I been up to?:

Good Things That Have Happened:

• I turned 17! Recieved lots and lots of lovely things. And a giant balloon, which is still floating around my room
• I saw Alice in Wonderland and it was wonderful (: Stephen Fry is brilliant just voicing the Cheshire Cat, and Helena Bonham-Carter & Johnny Depp do their thing as The Red Queen and The Mad Hatter respectably. The only mild disappointment was Mia Wasikowsa as Alice, but that may generally be down to the fact that I grew up with the Disney version, so am used to a little girl Alice
• I got my paws on the Love Never Dies original cast recording, and I like it (: Plus, it has taken me back to my First Ever musical soundtrack The Phantom of the Opera
• I didn't at all fail General Studies AS-Level. In fact, I got 100% on one of the papers!
• I didn't totally fail French mock (: I'm sitting on 91/110 so far, but awaiting Speaking mark (which will probably bring it downn-due to my lack of revision of Why I Would Not Want to be on Reality TV)
• Finished Hamlet in English Literature (: just got the final bit of Duchess of Malfi to go...and then two volumes of Pride & Prejudice to go with my other (far less brilliant) teacher
• CHESS IS COMING TO NOTTINGHAM IN NOVEMBER. And me and my friend are definitly going (: yayy.

Not-So-Good Things That Have Happened:

• Lots of people didn't do so well in their AS-Level modules, which made me feel sorta bad about my good mood that day
• Lots&Lots&Lots&Lots of evill deadlines are creeping up, most notably my Extended Project, which I need to have done this weekend *sobs*
• Also, quite a few hours at work...think money...but think also lack of time and also wondering around town for hours on Wednesday after my French mock-having a coffee alone....*sniffs*

Things Coming Up:

• London School of Economics Open Day-24th March
• French Conference, also in London-25th March
• Last Day of Term (:-1st April
• Holidayyyyy-3rd April-10th April
• Night of 1000 Voices & General London Fun-2nd May-3rd May
• Warwick University Open Day-8th May

Finalement!

(Picture from emzooo)

The past few days have been dominated by French revision for my mock (this early, it's mental). Thankfully, it paid off and the essay question I picked was fortunatly on 'les avantages et dangers d'internet', and I don't think I've totally failed (yay).

Also, got emailed my LSE stuffs. It looks like it will be a veryyy busy day (no time for the kind-of-awful-sounding Love Never Dies-but I'll be buying the soundtrack) but it's all very exciting. If a little scary.

On another note, it's my birthday next Saturday (I'm 17 [!!]) and I'm planning to go see Alice in Wonderland Tim Burton-style with the friends after work. I'm hoping the birthday fairies will give me Topshop vouchers and New Look creme brogues.

Off to check up on what I've missed dans le blogosphere the past few days

x

Small Things

I've been thrown back into the mix of AS-Levels and stacks of homework again, even my week off wasn't really enough to have some true chill-out time.

Anyway, some small things have been making me smile these first few days of the week, which I find tough, by Wednesday it's nice to know you're near the end of the week.

• People liked my home-dyed hair and trimmed fringe-courtesay of my Mum and some nail scissors
• People also liked the 60s-style dress that I've had for years from Tescos (!), and wore for the first time in probably months
• I recieved a card from a friend in Northampton, who was one of my childhood best friends, to restart our penpal relationship

Also, I *think* I've been made permanent at work now, due to the fact I haven't been paid the last few weeks and it goes from weekly to monthly when one is a full time member. This is good (: but it does meen I need to get my skates on and book off my jollidays (Week in April, 2 Weeks in August) but I don't actually know how much I get!

In other news, a trip to Love Never Dies seems unlikely, my biggest fear with the plot has been realised and it has lots of additional HUH moments from the sounds of things as well. Maybe I should go see Phantom 1, but then perhaps seeing LND will be like seeing a part of history, not to mention my first original cast-not counting the 2006 Revival of Evita...

The University Countdown-Part #1

Now that Year 13 (the 17-18 year olds) have been receiving offers, and basically 'just' need to receive the grades their Conditional Offers desire them to have school have moved on to us Year 12s to depart their wisdom.

Or just terrify us all.

Today's lecture basically went through the application system...which is something like this:

1. End of Term 6 (July)-Prepare Personal Statement (aka THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF
WRITING YOU WILL EVER DO IN YOUR LIFE)

2.Term 1 (September)-Complete UCAS application form
Complete Personal Statement/Hand in for School Reference
End of term-my school's personal deadline of applications

Basically, from today, we have roughly 7 months until we have chosen where we want to go, what we want to do, have written our statements AND got good enough grades.

Argh.

At least I have vaguely got some idea of where I want to go and what I would like to do...


1. Warwick University-Politics & International Studies
2. London School of Economics & Political Sciences-Government & Social Policy
3. Lancaster University-Politics (Study Abroad) OR Politics & International Relations
4. Birmingham University-Political Science

And...that's about it at the moment. My predicted grades as of now stand at 2 definite A's, one maybe A and a B. Plus my Extended Project (which Warwick can take as a grade...yes).

LSE's Open Day is on March 24th and my place is booked for that.
Warwick's Open Day is May 8th, two days before my French speaking exam, but it'd be crazy to miss it.

The future is now stupidly close. It's terribly scary but also terribly exciting.

Paused

There's been a bit of a gap between posts...I shall try an account for this:

• Two General Studies exams, neither of which I believe has gone particularly well
• My Dad's birthday
• Being scared out of my wits by a talk about personal statements ('the single most important piece of writing you will ever do') at school
• Working
• Essays
• Being ill

The pro about the latter thing is that I finally managed to sleep okay and had a day off work yesterday, which mainly involved just sleeping. However, am slightly frustrated that mother rang up work to say I was sick and then didn't click that next Saturday is the weekend I've asked to have off (yet again, work seem to turn a blind eye everytime I mention the days I need off to them). This means that I'll probably have to phone them tomorrow (not looking forward to that conversation). Which means I've been stressing out about having to call them tomorrow. Which means I now feel worse.

Wonderful.

In other news, I've discovered Mad Men through my Dad's birthday gift of the first two series. It's brilliant.

I've also set up a LoveFilm account, awaiting La Vie en Rose, The West Wing-Series 1, (500) Days of Summer and St Trinians (the first one) among others

De quoi s'agit-il?

I've spent around 3 hours (an hour last night and two today) 'preparing' the French speaking task for tomorrow. Speaking tests tend to bring me out in a cold sweat when it comes to foreign languages. My French GCSE speaking exam terrified me so much, that when my French teacher played the tape to get it to the right place for the next person, I could my voice shaking. GCSE Spanish was even harder, on account of the fact we learned the entire language in two years to enter Higher Tier speaking (which is when you can gain A*-C, anything less is ungraded). We had one practice before the actual exam, resulting in even more terror than French.

Of course, at AS/A-Level they make it harder by throwing in an unknown examiner. You have to go into a room and speak French with someone you have never met (panics).

They could make it more interesting than having these questions on our speaking cards:

De quoi s'agit-il?
Est-ce que l'avenir du cinema est vraiment menace par les DVDs?
Quels sont les avantages d'aller regarder un film au cinema?
Est-ce qu'il y a les inconvenients?
Pourqoui est-ce que les films si sont populaires chez les jeunes?

Moving on..
I should have actually gone to French Speaking class today, but the ice on the roads was stupid and I was terrified of leaving it too late and it might have started snowing or something (which it did later).
I've rediscovered the joy of actually reading before bed, something I haven't done for ages. Thoroughly enjoying Sittenfeld's An American Wife.
Sorted my Dad's present, he will be recieving this, he adores the book so now he can put this on his iPod (ah, thoughtful daughter)
Speaking of the cinema, I'm going to see St Trinians 2 tomorrow afternoon, after school. Will be nice (:
You know the whole 'I won't let work make me feel guilty' thing, I feel awful that I'm not there tonight...sometimes I wonder why I put myself through all this "/

ALSO!
This is my wonderful, slightly mental, cat-Tiggy. Because she features prominently in my life (ie, I'm the one she wakes up for food). Tonight she managed to pull a band poster off my wall and then decided to sleep within my curtains. Now she's on her normal spot, under the radiator on the landing on top of the hot-water pipes.

General Studies

Is a complete waste of time...sample question:
'In what way can we help protect celebrity privacy?'
Ans: ....They should not be celebrities?

Well, that's not what I put. I waffled about child protection and public interest and fame-seeking celebrities in the hope that I may pick up one or two marks. Slightly worried that if I mess it up then I will be rejected from any Politics course I try to apply to...on account of the fact GS is supposed to somehow link to politics or something...

Anyway, moving on from my first AS-Level paper, the past few days have been quite quiet.

Work called to ask me to work tomorrow night, I said no (my Mum has booked tomorrow afternoon off in order to be able to pick me up from school [I finish early on Wednesday] and I'm not messing her around because of this). And got told it was short notice. And loved how one of my bosses' (I don't actually know *who* my boss is, there are a lot of people wondering around not in uniform that I guess are my superiors) changed from being like 'Hello!' to 'that's short notice' within a couple of seconds.

I'm on a four hour contract. I've already worked four hours this week, and I'll be working another four on Saturday....I don't see how on earth I can be made to feel guilty for not being able to work more than my contract (though I do).

And now I feel worried about Saturday. And the fact I need to tell them I can't work in a couple of weekends time. *Gulps*....maybe my 'tempory' contract will be up anyway...

But then I won't have any money....

Argh....the monkey hottie calls I think...