Be Safe not Sorry. Being safe online.

Hey there.

Every year, more and more children are getting mobiles, reaping it's benefits.
Every year, the average age of these children is getting younger and younger.
Every year, more and more children are falling foul to the dangers that besiege mobiles and the Internet.
Radio 1 are currently doing a share, take care campaign so I thought I too would help enforce the importance of staying safe online.
You may think I'm being repetitive and a hypocrite but I know some of the potential dangers of not being safe on-line or via mobile. I know how I feel when I do something I know isn't appropriate. I know how other people have felt as a result of not staying safe online. In one word, terrible.
Did you know:

• 33% of teens have been cyberbullied. Most haven’t told a parent
• 69% of teens admit to regularly talking to strangers online
• 20% of teens admit to sending or posting inappropriate photos

Unfortunately, I'm no innocent and I'm definitely part of the 69% who have regularly talked to strangers online. So I know what I'm talking about when I say, it really isn't good or "healthy". When I first started doing it, it seemed exciting, dangerous but now I'm 17, I've figured that there are more risks then rewards. How can you prove someone is who they say they are?
With the Internet expanding rapidly daily, there is less protection offered now to young people. Therefore, it is our responsibility to ensure that everything we post,like share,say..isn't accessed by strangers, without permission. 
I know what you're thinking, WHAT ABOUT TWITTER?!?! Yes, Twitter is a social media site where talking to strangers is the whole idea. Fine. But don't divulge personal information. I'm not going to lie, it's easier said than done but just think about who might see your tweets. You could put a tweet saying "Home alone tonight..YES!", no personal information included, true. But who on your followers knows where you live and could feasibly get to your house? Hmm? 
Slightly dramatic I know. Yet it can still happen I'm afraid. Now, before you moan at me saying that I'm a hypocrite, I do have twitter. I follow strangers, friends and people who I know by name/reputation and I have seen tweets like this myself and probably posted a couple too. Yet, I'm aware of the dangers and problems I could face if I open my big mouth too much.
Talking of opening big mouths too much, cyber bullying. The one thing about technology I hate.
Remember that time when you were about 11, on the school playground, getting bullied because your school jumper didn't fit any more, you had answered all the teachers correctly in maths or you didn't seem to wear the right clothes compared to the rest of your class? Thought it was bad then, it's 20 times worse now. With cyberbullying, this childish taunting doesn't end when the bell strikes 3, it doesn't stop by moving classes, its relentless. Texting constantly, messaging constantly, posting constantly. 
Nobody deserves to be subjected to such horror. People see harsh comments as banter and funny, so they share it. Before you know it, that comment has spread worldwide, people you don't even know are making remarks about you. This can get you down, I mean really down. Suicidal in fact. Why would you want to spend any longer in a place where you feel worthless? Everybody hates you? You wouldn't.
Yet if we take responsibility for our actions, we can help lower the amount of suicides and deaths caused as a result of bullying alone. We can help stop the spread of negativity.
If you see a post which seems quite harsh, think before you share it. Think how the person it's written about feels. Bullying only continues if it receives a reaction or an audience. 

When online, attempt to stay safe. I know that nobody is perfect and occasionally we do slip up but as long as you stay mindful about the dangers associated with social media and the Internet, then the cowards, the perverts, the opportunists can't get to you. 
Share, Take Care.

I also provide the link to the Radio 1 website where even more information can be found:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wkj8/profiles/sharetakecare

Football Rant- Get a grip Chelsea

         In the past 12 years, football has seen some highs, some lows and some absolutely terrible events. Footballers’ being paid a high wage is my main bug bear but the firing of managers is also pretty high up there. Yes, I understand the whole, our team are doing rubbish, we need a fresh insight or we are not going to improve view but this isn’t necessarily the truth.

Chelsea seem to have taken this idea and this idea alone into their managerial side. Since 2000, Chelsea has seen 11 managers grace their team.11!!!! Compared to Liverpool who over this time have seen a humble five. However as much as I hate to say it, Manchester United and Arsenal have got something right, 1 manager since 2000 and  this one manager started way before then anyway. 

Roman Abramovich may have the passion needed for the game, the enthusiasm and the money, but he seems to lack the most important thing in football ownership, common sense. Ok, taking a new perspective of things isn’t a bad thing but not constantly. Footballers need continuation if they are to do well.  Sir Alex Ferguson has seen the good, the bad and the downright awful since being manager of Manchester United, unlike Roberto Di Matteo who won some silverware one season then promptly got sacked the next when it appeared that the club were heading for disaster, so to speak.  Every season for every football team is different. A strategy which worked last time might not be as rewarding now and a manager isn’t going to learn what works for his team constantly if he isn’t given the chance.  You could argue that every individual match has the same consensus however it needs to be on a broader scale for the managers to really understand their teams’ perfect strategy.

Lets take each team individually,

                Arsenal-  Haven’t gained a major trophy since the 2005 FA cup but haven’t finished below forth in the premier league. Third League and Cup double  in 2001–02. In addition, the club reached the final of the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup (losing on penalties to Galatasaray), was victorious in the 2003 and 2005 FA Cups, and won the Premier League in 2003–04 without losing a single match.

                Manchester United- Won champions League, Fifa club world cup, FA community shield 5 times, League cup 3 times, Havent finished below third in the premier league.

                Chelsea-  Premier League- 3 times, runners up, 4 times.  FA cup, 4 times.  UEFA champions League once.  Community shield, 3 times.  Lowest premier league finishing position- 6^th?

                Liverpool-  FA cup twice, League Cup 3 times, Community Shield twice, UEFA champions League, once. Uefa Cup and super cup, 3 times alltogether.  Lowest league position 8^th.  

 So as you can see the teams with the least amount of trophies are the teams with the ever changing managers. Although Arsenal is the exception but this may be down to smaller clubs improving dramatically too. 

Making the most of the memories made

Everyday I'm reminded of the amazing summer which graced Great Britain this year. Unfortunately I don't mean the weather as that was rubbish, as always, but the Olympics. Now I know this finished months and months ago but the great courage, determination and pride which was shown over the course of a month will stay with me forever. Surprisingly we did quite well and even though they are long over, I'm still reminded of them daily. Not the sport and competition necessarily but the respect, passion and sacrifice that ALL the athletes showed. Everyday we ourselves should take on this idea and make the world a better place. We need to share the tears, laughter and happiness as a united front just like we did in the Summer.

mmm bacon..

On a lighter more silly note.
mmmm baaacooooon. Om nom nom,
xx

Without history, there is no future.

Well hello there.
           There I am casually sitting in my biology lesson. texting, not paying that much attention to things when my teacher suddenly springs this news topic out of nowhere about a 112 year old women being robbed in her own home. After returning home and googling it to find this story was true, I was shocked. Well not shocked, appalled!
What kind of a person would do such a thing?! I mean, you would have to be desperate to do that. Like, really desperate. 112 years old, born 1899, that's 2 millenniums, 2 world wars, countless other wars, From Queen Victoria to our current Queen plus goodness knows what else and yet some mindless idiot wanted to virtually kill this person for a bit of extra cash and a buzz.
What is this world coming to?
The things this women has seen, experienced, lived through. The things she could teach us. Yet someone wanted to destroy all that?!
I know many people aren't big history fans, I'm not asking you to be. I'm asking you to respect history.
Respect your elders, i suppose too. They've seen things I've been taught about in a history lesson. What they can tell us about the world will inform our decisions we make on the future. We learn from our past mistakes to make a better future. But if we don't know what our past mistakes our, how can we make a good decision. We can't.
Its not just the fact that this women has "seen lots". It's the fact that she is an old, fragile lady. Someone who should be cared for, by ALL members of society. The most dearest members of our family are usually our grandparents, this isn't the case for everyone, i know but still. I know i certainly wouldn't want my family to be treated with such disrespect.
This poor lady was left frightened after the series of attacks at her home. Its sad, its unnecessary and its pathetic.
Without history, we have no future. For we are doomed to just repeat the same mistakes over and over again. Hopefully, some people out there will learn to respect their elders more. Although knowing some people, maybe not.
x

A hug can sometimes be the best medicine.

Well hello there.
Was sitting scrolling down my facebook newsfeed the other day and saw some rather depressing statuses, a facebook friend really wanted a hug. This may seem rather boring to you but to me it is a cry for help. Hugs, to me, help 101 problems that talking and what not don't. They show support, strength, and a unspoken trust between two people.
    Ok, now not every hug is done for this purpose however quite a few are. The simplicity of putting your arm around someone can give that person such vitality and protection that no words need to be said. Not only this, but they are simple. I may sound really soppy here but a good hug shows a good character.
   For a girl, the natural reaction to seeing someone upset or down is to give them a hug. It helps.
So if you see someone who looks a bit down, go give them a hug, or at least offer. It shows good character, goodwill and a compassionate side, all from one simple action.

xx

To A2 and beyond!!!!

Well hey there.
 To fill everyone in, I've finished my exams. To everyone doing AS, this was such a great feeling.
Anyways, following exams, went on holiday to Malta for a week and now I've returned to school, to start A2. Gulp.

Started on Monday, its now Wednesday and I'm petrified already.
After having a 2 hour lecture about what is expected from an A level student and ideas about higher education, I finally started lessons where  what I was due to study for the following 5 weeks and    consequently the next year was outlined.
I couldn't wait to start ICT however what I've already done so far, is scary. Alot of mumbo jumbo technical stuff that I assume I will learn with time however at this present moment is like a foreign language. The coursework is even worse.
English on the other hand sounds so fascinating,  Child Language Acquisition, or in laymen's terms, how children learn to speak and develop full sentences and Language change, from like Shakespeare to modern day.
Biology was straight in with the next part of the course. Which looks interesting, suprisingly.
History was a gradual ease into A2, with a quick summary of the course then a task to help familiarise ourseleves with it.
 Today I also went to a higher Education Fair, which considering I've barely finished AS is an eye opening experience although there were some interesting courses and uni's.

So thats what I've been up to recently. Scary stuff. The thought of becoming an Adult is frightening.
 xx

1 down. 7 to go.

Well hey there.
My exams started today. 2 weeks of pure hell for me.
Starting with biology. Ugh! Well actually I felt that it went better than I was expecting, although the chance of me actually getting a grade are slim. But hey ho, thinking positive.
Tomorrow is my Russia History exam, now that is scary, 2 essays in an hour and 20 minutes. Scary stuff.
So I've taken a break from writing revision notes (last minute I know) but to inform you about this.
Interesting I'm sure.
Anyways everybody with exams, keep your head up, Think Positive.
x

Tick Tock Tick Tock

Well hey there.
I know I've been going on, and on, and on about exams and now the most important ones are just around the corner.
Many people from all different years, year 10s, 11s,12s and 13s are all preparing for the most important times in their lives.
Everybody tackles exams differently, some are able to breeze through them, revising the night and hour before. Others revise months in advance to make sure they're prepared. Whatever your strategy, remember one thing, it isn't the end of the world. If you fail, there is always the chance of resitting and there are still ample opportunities for those who didn't do fantastically. Yet you should think positively.
 Imagine yourself receiving  your grades and the happiness that fills you upon getting the greatest grades possible. Don't stress yourself too much over exams though, only do the best you can do.
 At the end of the day, you are going to feel better if you know you went into the exam and tried your best. If you don't do fantastically, sometimes life sucks and you shouldn't feel bad one bit. If you succeed, great! You can improve on that next time.
   So everyone sitting exams, good luck! I hope you all get the grades you were looking for.
Good Luck! I know you will be fabulous.
x
 

Memories

Well hey there.
Yesterday as you may or may not be aware was bank holiday Monday. Now this allows for a day off school, however unluckily for me, I had revision. Not only this but I got called into work. Sad times.
Anyway throughout the day on the radio, there was an official chart of the top 150 highest selling records of the Millennium. Which was somewhat of a trip down memory lane for me.
 150 songs basically from my childhood. Some good, some bad. Some I have on CD, some I haven't heard for about 8 years. Which got me thinking, will we ever forget our generation of music?
Just as the 40's brought about the Jazz kind of music and the 60's/70's brought about rock and roll etc etc, will the noughties which gave us pop and RnB be cast into the shadow of newer,current music.?
I can answer my own question here: yes. But will we forget about the music which shaped our childhoods?
My Nan and Grandad still listen to the music that they danced to when they were courting, my Mum still listens to the music that she went clubbing to when she was my age. But in 10/15 years time will I still occasionally pop on a bit of Shaggy or S club 7, as a bit of a guilty pleasure?
 I loved listening to those songs yesterday for they brought back so many memories and it's scary to think that the new generation of children haven't even heard of S club 7 or Las Ketchup. I don't want to forget the music which I danced to with my late dog in the kitchen of my house at the age of 7, nor do I want to forget the numerous school discos where I slid to the left and criss crossed. Only a 90's child will know this references and unlike the music of the Beatles, Blondie or Terrovision with it's one hit wonder, I don't think our modern music has the lasting and staying power of which it used to.Music in general is dying. In 10 years, how many people will know who Queen were and be able to name 5 songs? In 5 years how many people could sing me a song that Frank Sinatra sang? The answer, not many. They could probably name all of One Direction and Nicki Minaj's songs and maybe the odd Leona Lewis too.
While our modern music, is great and I love it. I don't want to forget the old music which shaped the music of today. It's the music I grew up with and to lose it altogether would be such a great loss. I feel that a new generation of people need to be introduced to the likes of Doris Day, Nat King Cole, Queen and Duran Duran.
Most of you reading this will probably have to use a search engine to find out who I'm on about but for those of you who don't. Thank you for not letting music die.
xx

My twitter friends

Well hey there.
Just thought I'd say, even though I'm meant to be revising I'm typing this blog and skyping my friends Gary, Jess and Kira.
I've never met them but they make me laugh. They are crude yet hilarious and get me.
I feel sorry for Gary, he is just so, how to put it nicely, weird. Anyway I'm hyper so this probably looks like a random load of babble.
I love Jess.... but I could grow to love Kira. I'm not lesbian, but they are just so great.
So yeah, I'm hyper. Must sleep.
xx

It's sad when people who gave you the best memories, become a memory.

Hey there.
As you well know,I've been rather busy with exams and work so as a consequence I've lost my social life.
Now I'm not particularly complaining because it was pretty dismal anyway but what I miss is the friendships that I had before my busy schedule started.
Whilst acting I gained so many friends, people who were like family to me. Yet 9 months after stopping, I've lost contact with virtually all of them, occasionally the odd text here or there but that's about it.
Similarly, my school friends who I spent the "best years of my life" with have become distant. We do different things now and I'd love to spend time catching up, if I had that time in the first place.
My holiday friend is another example, even though we haven't seen each other since my holiday and there is the usual consensus that holiday friendships are fleeting, I thought we could make it last. Yet this similarly has grown to become stilted and awkward. :(
All of the above gave me some great memories and many promised me that those memories wouldn't be the last however as is usually the case when people split and return to their normal lives as such, you grow apart and have less in common that what you thought so friendships become strained.
 It's so refreshing when people make the effort to sustain a friendship, I mean, it's possible. It's got to be.
If not, then I would love to be able to have a friendship where you don't talk for ages, then when you do see each other, it's completely natural and like you'd never been apart.
I love the memories I've gained from these people and I will cherish them forever. They make me smile and after all, smiling is healthy.
x

Still confused...

Well hey there.
Even though I've been on here for a little while, I'm still so confused as to how to use this... sad times.
On other notes, Exams are coming soon.Wooo! Or not. Dreading them.
I'm imagining results day and I get 2 Bs, an A and a C...so thinking positive. Alot of positivity. Otherwise I will not survive the next week, let alone the exams.
Anyway if you've got exams coming up, Good Luck!
x

Long time no blog

Well hey there.
 A lot has happened since my last blog, apologies for not blogging, been busy.
Well, I taught my year 10's and it went surprisingly well. Woo!
Handed in my English Language coursework which is a huge relief. It was starting to get on my nerves.
There was also Easter. I spent my Easter Sunday on a plane, train and in an automobile, back from my holiday.
To put it frankly, I needed a break so the mother and I decided to have a little holiday in Tunisia. What a lovely place. Lovely weather, nice people, nice food. Only downside was the fact it was cold at night.
Upon returning I found I had acquired an ear infection so the last week of my Easter holiday was spent in bed or going dizzy. Fun.
Now I'm currently doing all the exam prep, oh and playing cards in Biology. And I ask myself why I suck at this subject. Anyway until next time.
 x

No me gusta el colegio

Well hello there.
Crikey! It's like March, already! Apologies for the delay in blogging but been extremely busy. School school school school work work work.. etc etc Fun!
Got my grades back last Thursday and well I was rather disappointed, a U in Biology and a D in ICT. I mean everyone told me that A levels were difficult but seriously? I managed to get an A in my mock ICT so to slip to a D is gutting. The only thing I have to cheer me up is the fact that noone in 2 classes ( so about 40 people) got above a C. Biology I was let surprised about, having struggled with it since the beginning. A grade would have been nice though.
Similarly Coursework deadlines are looming and its a lot of pressure as I want the best grades possible, but it is so much work for so little.
In all honesty, the only light relief I had last week was helping in my Year 10 Spanish class. They always manage to cheer me up.
Although, next week I have to do a 15 minute activity leading them, on my own. So pretty scared about that, as even though they are all lovely, the prospect of having to teach them is like ARGHHH.
Anyways, thats my depressing couple of weeks.
Adios Amigos.
x

I'm Sorry

This is a bit of a message to my friend.
I want to say Sorry. We live so far apart and I met her on holiday but we promised each other we would stay friends and so far we have. Yet the strains of not seeing each other and living so far apart, makes our friendship difficult.
 We have different lives and so our only ways of communicating through the day is via text, however if one is having a bad day, they might not necessarily text the other, so a miscommunication happens.
 I really do miss her and I just want to say nobody is perfect.
I'm sorry, being such a happy person makes my low moments incredibly low and sometimes that means I say/write things I don't mean.
Sorry.
xx

Don't judge.

Well hello there.
 Back to school after half term so got lots of work. Anyways I listen to a lot of music to help me get through the huge work load and it got me thinking.
Why do people judge people on what they listen to?
I mean, how can one person say that another person can/can't listen to something? Due to the fact they don't like it? Its just wrong.
I like most music. I got brought up on Frank Sinatra, Blondie and S club 7. Well and a lot more but you get the drift. This means that my music taste is broad. I love everything virtually.
Which is why I get annoyed when people say "oh you can't like JEDWARD" or "One Direction"...why not? Alot of people do! Ok, I'm not into fangirling or whatever it's called but there are a few people who i do love more than most. Yet when I say to someone "oh JEDWARD is awesome" they respond with something "but they are rubbish, you shouldn't be listening to them". Sorry, since when did it affect you?
 Everyone should be able to listen to whatever they want. Without getting judged. I'm not a big fan of Justin Bieber but I don't judge everyone who does. I admire them and have slight worries at their almighty admiration for the poor guy. Anyways all I'm saying is, Music is a part of everyone's lives. Don't control people to what makes them happy. Simple.
Rant over. x

I'm sick of always making the effort.

Well hello there,
Do you ever get those moments when you wonder " if I died tomorrow,who would miss me?".
I get those from time to time and usually when I've been really busy that day. That's because when I'm busy, I have no time to text people and have a chat. Which is why when someone texts me first, I'm happy.
When I have plenty of time to myself and I'm happy, I don't mind making an effort to text people. Even when I'm slightly busy, I'll text those who I know would text me first. Yet when I'm really sad, I'll text no one. I'll wait for someone to make the effort, but nobody does.
Like today for example. I went to work at around 10, so didn't bother to text anybody. I hoped by the time I'd finished, someone would have text me, but no! So I text my friend saying " hope you have a good day", no reply. Fair enough but she then had the cheek to update her Facebook status "via mobile". Little things like this really annoy me hence why I often wonder; If I was to die tomorrow, out of my friends,who would care?
Rant over.

Live your life. Don't let somebody live it for you.

Well hello there.
As a big fan of twitter, I spend alot of time on there. What I find so remarkable about it, is the amount of people who feel pressurised to look a certain way. Why?
I'm not one of these people who is religious but I believe that we were created to all be individual and unique. Magazines nowadays post pictures of stick thin models who are apparently gorgeous, which all ages can access and subconsciously promote these people as the "right" way to look. Well if I'm honest, I'd rather be wrong.
As someone who has experienced many body issues and knows many who have also, this isn't the right message we need to be giving out to people. We need to tell girls and boys alike, that it's ok to be different and that it doesn't matter what size you are, you are accepted as much as anyone else.
   This doesn't just affect weight though. Orientation is another massive issue. In today's culture, we are lucky that  different orientations are allowed. Whereas in years gone by, the thought of "coming out" would have meant probably social exclusion and death. However some issues still carry on today. Homophobic people still have similar views from those 40 years ago, they shouldn't. Yes everyone is entitled to their own opinion but since when does somebody's orientation need to affect another person? Since when did "coming out" become something which only butch girls and girly guys could do? It didn't, but that's the stereotype and anyone who doesn't fit that, is more excluded that those in it.
As a world, we are very judgemental. If someone has a disability, they get bullied by more able people. If someone is gay, they are picked on by those who find it "wrong". If someone is fat, they are bullied by those who are "stick thin".They are bullied because they have what people think is a weakness. Just because people are different to you, it doesn't mean they are weak. If anything, it means you are weak. They can quite happily get on with their life, yet you can't. You are the one with the problem, not them.
Media plays such a big part in the ideological person. But my question is: What is the ideological person? and Who decides it? Surely you can't say that the bible decided it. Most people who are homophobic, xenophobic etc are also non religious. So are they cutting their noses off to spite their face?
   Remember, if we were all the same, we would be boring. I'm proud to be different. Everyone should be, but unfortunately that is not the case.
Be who you want to be. It is your life, not somebody else's. Don't fit the mould.

Happy Valentines Day

Well hello there.
Today is Valentines day. That can either be a good or a bad thing. For me it is neither. Even though I've been with my boyfriend for nearly 2 years I still don't appreciate Valentines Day. The idea is cute but other than that, nothing. If you can't treat your partner like a prince or princess all the time then you must be some lousy partner. I understand that this one day means you can really push the boat out, which is cute.
For singletons Valentines day is another day to mock how you are not in a relationship. However it is a good thing, it means you don't have to spend as much money.
So to all those loved up couples and those lucky singletons.
Happy Valentines Day!
        or
Happy Tuesday!!!