It's done!

That's all my exams over, thank god! How they've gone, I don't know, here's hoping it went okay. Now I've got plenty of time to do nothing but read, write and update my LiveJournal. Feel free to read it or add me as a friend if you have one too. I'm using it mainly to show off some of my writings and go off onto fangirl sprees! I also have an e-copy of New Moon and Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer to read so I'm set for the next week! My eternal love and respect if you can guess where the icon is from?

The sound of Summer...

For me, The Zutons are the ultimate Summer band. They fit in so well with the better weather and the cheery demeanour it seems to bring out in people. With their 3rd album coming out, there's no better time to listen to some of my favourites.

One left!

French exam today was okay, a bit of a mixed bag. The reading was pretty manageable, and the translation wasn't totally excruciating. Listening is never my strong point but the one in the exam was a lot easier than the ones we've been practicing with. My main hitch was the discursive writing. The 5 titles we were given had nothing to do with anything I'd been revising for which was a struggle. I just had to settle for the good old winging my way through it and hoping for the best strategy. I'd did no revision at all for the exam, there's been so much crap happening with my grandad and I couldn't concentrate on anything. He's a lot better than he was - at one point my family were called in to say their final goodbyes. I knew he wasn't leaving without a fight, I'm so proud of him!

Here's a question for you: Is it weird to order a made-for-cable-TV movie on DVD that's probably absolutely rubbish just because you fancy a guy in it who everyone thinks is horrible and is way too old for you and is also gay? Didn't think so! I bought Sweet Revenge on DVD because I was watching clips on YouTube and John Sessions was much to cute in it so I just had to buy it!

22. The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner)

Based on the book I consider to be the funnest thing ever written, The Princess Bride has a lot to live up to but manages to be everything you could ask for in a fairytale and so much more.

A grandfather decides to read a story to his sick grandson. The story is about Buttercup (Robin Wright), a girl who is about to marry the horrible but genius named Prince Humperdink. But before she can marry him, she is kidnapped by a Sicilian, a Spaniard swordsman and a Turkish strongman as part of a secret plot to bring about war in Florin. But their plan is spoiled by the arrival of the dread pirate Roberts, really Buttercup's true love Westley (Cary Elwes.)

I really can't do this story justice with such a silly synopsis. It's a film full of oxymorons. Silly yet clever. Tons of adult humour but perfect for kids. Romantic and cynical. A fairy-tale for people who hate fairy-tales. The book is really special to me. Everytime I feel depressed or sick of life, I pick up that book and within 30 pages, I'm in hysterics of laughter and everything seems much better. Just like the book, the film has the same effect on me. Nothing could be a better cure for sadness than a bout of this. There's a reason it's a cult film.

Westley is one of the most perfect men in literature (what girl doesn't want to have a dashing man love her forever?) and Cary Elwes is suitably dashing in his homage to Errol Flynn. Buttercup is a tad underwritten compared to her book version where she's a little bit stupid but Robin Wright is very sweet. The 3 kidnappers have brilliant chemistry together and I challenge anybody not to laugh at the battle of wits. Sometimes there is nothing more rewarding than watching something that brings you out in a huge smile.

Top Moments:

- The battle of wits.

- Miracle Max.

- The marriage ceremony (one of the funniest thing's I'e ever seen)

Favourite Quote:

"HE DIDN'T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE!"

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."

One down, two to go!

It was my Advanced Higher English exam today and I'm hoping it went as well as I think it did. The literature question was oddly worded but I think I managed to get around it. I really don't like the Shakespeare play Antony and Cleopatra, it's a bit messy for me and I got lost with the characters. Othello was far superior for me, if only for Iago, possibly the best Shakespearian villain. The textual analysis wasn't too bad either, an Ernest Hemingway short story. After 3 hours though, the hand was giving way and creaking a lot.

Overall I'm glad it's over for now and I've got until the 21st for the next exam. Grandad is stable. Turns out he had an aneurysm and they can't get a scan for him until he calms down. Mum's stressing out like mad and I feel so useless. All I can do is offer hugs. That's not enough.

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Arooj!

1. Last movie you saw in a theatre? Son of Rambow. It was really funny and inventive.

2. What book are you reading? A Kiss of Shadows (Laurell K. Hamilton) and The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)

3. Favorite board game? I haven't played a board game in ages. I'd say Cluedo because I adored it as a kid.

4. Favorite magazine? Despite it's staggering cost it's always Empire.

5. Favourite smells? Ghost perfume, melted chocolate and books.

6. Favourite sounds? Wind blowing through leaves.

7. Worst feeling in the world? Knowing somebody you love is in pain.

8. What is the first thing you think of when you wake up? "I wish I was dreaming again."

9. Favorite fast food place? KFC.

10. Future child’s name? Lyra or Ivy if it's a girl. Orion or Seth if it's a boy. I also love the Gaelic variation of Kirsty - Ciorstaidh.

11. Finish this statement- "If I had a lot of money I'd..?" Travel across USA East to West and take in everything I could.

12. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal? Yep, he's an old rabbit called Benny and I've had him since I was 4.

13. Storms: Cool or scary?Cool in a scary way? Scary in a cool way? Both.

14. Favourite drink? Coca Cola.

15. Finish this statement, “If I had the time I would…?” Learn tons of languages and read every book I could get my hands on.

16. Do you eat the stems on broccoli? Yep.

17. If you could dye your hair any color, what would be your choice? Well I really like my natural colour but if I had to I'd choose scarlet red.

18. Name all the different cities/towns you’ve lived in? Blairgowrie. That's it.

19. Favorite sports to watch? Hate sports but do find Winter Olympics very entertaining.

20. One nice thing about the person who sent this to you? She's got tons of books, is lovely and likes Rickman, so she's a member of Club 55+!

21. What’s under your bed? My sister's bed.

22. Would you like to be born as yourself again? Sure, me or Kate Winslet.

23. Morning person, or night owl? Bit of both.

24. Over easy, or sunny side up? Can't eat eggs, they make me hurl.

25. Favorite place to relax? My bedroom or the bathroom. Don't ask.

26. Favorite pie? Don't like pie. Am a chocolate cake kind of girl.

I feel bad tagging people because of exams so this is open to anyone who is willing to take it!

*sigh*

My grandad went back into hospital today. They think he's had a mini stroke. I'm worried like hell but they say he's going to be okay. He's not forgotten who we are and still swears a lot but it's still a little worrying. I've done my fair share of crying too - good, my soul has returned. It just means I haven't been able to revise for my exam on Thursday. I won't be able to tonight either, I'm staying up at my gran's to keep her company.

FFRRREEEEEEEEEDOMMM!!!!!!!

It's over! Bar the upcoming exams, school is officially over for me. I'm free and bloody happy for it! To be honest it hasn't completely sunk in that I never have to go to high school again but right now I'm smiling and remembering the good times. Here are a few pictures of my day.

The librarians. They always told us to shut up even when we weren't saying anything.

My friend Ryan posing with some handprints. We were allowed to paint the 6th year area of the library to jazz it up a little and since it's being cleared away I thought I'd keep the memory alive.
A few of the guys in my year at the final meeting together in the Altamount Hotel.
My shirt. I got my shirt signed on my final day of primary school so now I have 2 shirts. Notice what my friend Pamela wrote in green - just tell everyone bitch!
Another group photo with my RS teacher Mr Pullar in the background with the glasses. Total legend!

More handprints, mine isn't there.

There I am!

Very unusual position for Ryan.

Pamela desecrating the Religious Studies department. We made out mark and now Mr Pullar is banned from removing it.

Pamela and Petsa.
Petsa drawing pretty flowers.
Colin, Ross and Ryan. Colin is holding the shirt pocket from Ryan's shirt with the comment "Haha I got your pocket!" written on it.

Caleb, the quiet one.
My old English teacher Mrs Hird. She rocks beyond belief.


Ryan in my sister's first pair of sunglasses.

Pam and the very narcissistic Daryl in her second pair of sunglasses. Can't believe how vain she is.
Daryl, Amanda, Holly and Emma.
Kirsty (Sweeny) and Ross.
Mariclaire in the most unflattering picture ever. Sorry!
Pensive Petsa.

I'm gonna miss a lot of things, like these people and all the silly stuff they say. But the next door is opening soon and I'm ready! Almost...

My unofficial day off.

After the fuss I made about beach day I ended up not even going! I decided to do something I considered even more worthwhile and take my sister shopping. Here are some pictures of the day. Notice how gorgeous she is in every frame while I look like the acne ridden Quasimodo!

Role models and me...

After the fallout that came from the Vanity Fair photo-shoot of Miley Cyrus looking less than wholesome, she was forced to apologise to her fans for any embarassment caused, backed up by Disney Studios calling Annie Leibowitz and the VF team 'manipulative' for putting a youngt lady in such a position. Apparently Hannah Montana is seen as a tween role model. It got me thinking about what or who is a role model for me. Because it certainly isn't her. I have a real hatred of the manufactured teen pop and TV stars that fall off the assembly line and make millions from ropey acting, sub-standard singing and more merchandise than the Krusty The Klown line. I just don't understand their popularity, they're so boring and unoriginal. The only thing worse than their popularity is the sheer amount of respect they seem to gather from people younger than me, even girls in my year. I know an unfortunately large amount of girls who love High School Musical despite it's peurile attitude and convictions and they all love Vanessa Hudgens. She's going to be loaded after the 3rd (Dear god) film is released in cinemas (DEAR GOD!) When the very tasteless pictures of herself completely naked were leaked onto the net, uproar ensued. What was even more baffling than the possiblity of an 18 year old doing a Pamela Anderson with a panda cuddly toy in the background was the reactions. Disney were horrified that another top role model was seen as a slut. I just want to know why she's a role model - sure she's pretty but that's nothing you should respect. She can't act, can sing a little and not much else. So why are young girls flocking to wear t-shirts with her face on them and call her an inspiration? (Don't believe me? Come up here for a bit) The last time I checked, a role model had to do more than what her PR team told her to do and did something worthy of respect. Role models are figures of aspirations, not pop stars in tight clothes or no clothes. In a world where more girls know who Hannah Montana is than Emmeline Pankhurst, I'm a bit worried. Some so called role models are the total opposite for me. Can you believe Colleen McCloughlin (sp?) is supposed to be a role model for people like me? Sure, getting off with an ugly footballer, stealing his money to shop excessively then get fame from it all - her mother must be so proud. If I ever become famous, it'll be for something more than a WAG. One of the things they always ask you in High School is who your role model is. I honestly don't know who to say. But the closest I've got to one is my own gran. She's never done anything massively important or of artistic and academic merit, but she's raised 3 kids and held whatever job necessary to keep things going, reads more books than I do, loves films, had her first tattoo at 55, always makes me feel happy, can start a conversation with anyone and everyone, is so welcoming and gracious, looks great for her age, walks a mile a day with 3 dogs and swears like a trooper. If I could be like anyone, it would be her. That's a real role model.

Don't you just love this picture?

Taken from the new issue of Marie Claire, celebrating the eco aspects of life.

Man in tribal make-up...yum. It also comes with a hilarious picture of him in a grass skirt!

Day off + LJ Browsing = icons!

As you can tell, I really know how to make productive use of my free time. LiveJournal is like a haven for fangirls like me because you get that wonderful combination of slash and icons. I stuck mainly to the latter today but also found out I'm not the only girl on earth who thinks John Sessions is cute (plus he's a great artist - see above icon). Here are a combination of my random loves. What's your favourite?

Dressing up and breaking down...

It's been a bit of a mixed bag day. A couple of days ago my grandad went into hospital with some sort of virus. They're doing tons of tests and crap to see what's wrong but they still don't know. His short term memory is all to shot and it's really upsetting my family. He's still the same old grandad with his silly sense of humour, especially directed at other patients, but he says a lot of things that are really confusing and, to be honest, mental. The nurses are confident he'll be okay which I'm happy about. But my mum, grandad and sis all cried a lot and I was on hand for hugs. I feel a little emotionally stunted about the thing - usually I cry at the drop of a hat. I guess it's because I know he's going to be okay so I don't see a need to panic. Call me a bitch.

Afterwards we did what women do best - shopping! I needed to buy some accessories for my prom dress so my gran, who is obsessed with bags and shoes, was very helpful. She bought me these out of Accessorize.

My bag is black but I can't find a picture. They don't exactly match the colour of my dress, which is teal, but gran said it was best not to overload the colour and black goes with everything. It all looks really cool together and once I get my hair done (gran is paying for it to be layered and highlighted - greatest gran ever!) I'm sure I'll not look totally gross and disfigured. Right now I have a scabby spot on my face the same size as Krakatoa.