Knock knock!

Who's there?
Rebecca
Rebecca Who?
See you have already forgotten me!

OK, I know it's a terrible joke. Right? Just to warn you my fellows readers, I am writing this with endless cups of coffee, you might as well grab a hot drink and get some biscuits out. Just don't let me near those chocolate digestives nor any hobnobs they might end up having legs and go on a walk!!!!!!

This blog has been a bit neglected, hasn't it? Sorry for those who keep refreshing their browsers. I am back to blogging again, I think!! Don't get your hopes ready, though.  Guessing this is the point where, I explain why I haven't been blogging. Well if you cast your mind back to the previous post, you can probably tell I am not with it, and struggling with my mental well being. I have been right in the dumps and every time I see the light at the end of the tunnel I get spun around in the dark again. I started typing up the August monthly musings, and I might as well share it with you.

Just how much stuff do I need for a few days away?

So the last few days of July and beginning of August I was Down South for a very brief few days to see my family and relatives. I had a day swimming with my Cousin Seth, Auntie Clare and my Grandma.  All that hard work of swimming and been splashed by Seth it was time for a nice cup of coffee and carrot cake. After all, it has a serving of vegetable so it counts 1 of my 5 day. I had a day seeing my friend from my course in Farnborough for a nice coffee and lunch out. It was such a shame I didn't had a lot of time on my hands otherwise I could go out for a run. I had a very good day with my friends from school which did involve baking from an old fashioned cookery book, marshmallows been thrown at Lawrence and he did some magic in the kitchen, making a cake in 1 minute. (Is that even possible?)  Then I met up my with my friend Michal  with a nice cup of coffee in my local café, well used to be my local-which was really lovely. Then I walked back to my old house to see my next door neighbour and my parents for the lift back to my Grandparents. Unfortunately I couldn't go out for a run as I ate loads of cake and marshmallows, well the ones that weren't on the floor. Oh yeah, and my friend Lydia did the 'Chubby Bunny' challenge. My last day, was spent in the garden doing gardening! And a very l---o---n---g journey back home. Gosh that was exhausting just writing about it!

That really has been the highlight of the last three-four months. I am going to get back in gear with this monthly catch up starting again in December monthly musings!

Who said, you cannot make a ox bow lake, when you're on the beach?

Well there is one other thing that happened in August, my friend Lawrence came up for a few days. Which has been a rather busy few days mainly exploring Newcastle and lots of walking!! Who needs a car, when you have feet and a good transport link?! We visited The Angel of North, and visited a beach, though we had to walk quite a bit for our "fish 'n' chips." We walked to a KFC had our brunch, we were half way into town so we decided to walk to town via the cows field. Still hate walking into a cows field, even though we named each cow "Frankie and Bennie." Explored the town center a bit more and went to a tea house. For some odd reason, Lawrence and I decided to watch Tomas the tank engine. I think I can now see, why my friends are bit worried about me!

Sunset by the river tyne!!

I think this is my new favorite photo! I had my grandparents over for a few days. My Dad walked my grandparents off at Beamish. The next day Dad and I walked my grandparents off in Newcastle city center. The following day my grandparents were planning to go home, maybe it's so they can actually relax!! But they stayed another day to recover from the busy two days. You can tell our family loves walking!! Can't you?

Time for a story. Make that two stories. I went to waitrose to get  a sweet treat, only one rule it has to be reduced. Second thing was to get some oil. And finally a free coffee. The person who served me asked, "How old are you?" I said, "I am 19 years old" Can I see your proof, please, you are a bit young to be 19." "HMMMMM, I'm afraid I don't have anything to say that I am 19 years old" My friend Phillipa was giggling to herself near the sweets section. Eventually when she stopped giggling she showed her university card and told the person who served me "She is 19, but acts like a 5 year old" REALLY!!!!!!!

So it's still Halloween, people knocking on your doors for "Trick or treat" I cannot remember what I did last year, and said to my Mum,"I don't think we are going to get a lot of knockers." Oh boy, was I wrong. Every time I was away from the door, there was a knock, I was running saying "I am coming" It started with a box full of sweets thought to myself, these are mine. Surely we will have no knockers. Soon that box full of sweets came to a handful, maybe I should put some fruit in just to make the box more full. Guess what? Children were actually picking the fruit. Next year, the box would only contain the fruit and box with the sweets is mine. I am not sharing. Anyhow, who said sharing is compulsory?

Pondering about life

I have been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life, as in long term and what is the next step on my life journey. Life is never easy, you think you got it figured out. Then it just gives you a massive snake to climb down and you end up where you started.  I did a 12 weeks course for level one childcare, which I have passed.

What is not to like about Hygge?

Thinking about having a year or two working full time, in order to save up money for university to study for psychology. However, I am unsure whether or not this is a good thing to do. As the subject psychology is a very broad subject and I don't really have a career aspiration. Speaking about aspiration, I would like to move to either Denmark or Germany.

I embarked a new project, the project 333 where you have 33 clothes and accessories for three months. That seemed a bit of  a daunting project, so I put all the clothes that can only be worn in one season in a suitcase. Anything that I only wear once in the suitcase. Okay the tricky part, what items of clothing do I not wear? Not an easy task, when you tell yourself  'I will wear that one day' chances are if hasn't been worn that one day you will wear it would never happen. I got a whole suitcase full of clothing that I only wear depending on season, items of clothing that I only worn once. And items of clothing I do not wear. I thought, I would end up buying my clothing or miss my clothes. Actually I don't! And one good thing, is that when I walk into a clothing shop, I don't end up loving things as I used to, instead. I ask myself, "Do I truly need this?" "Can you wear this in other seasons?" "Does it match with the clothing I already have" "Can I afford this?" Which is also goes hand in hand with Frugal living, hence the lookout for reduced sweet treats!

Recipe time

See, I do wash up!!!!

Before I tell you my recipe, I have to tell you the story first. My parents were out in evening, I was listening to a podcast and knitting away. I was determined to get my back of my jumper done this evening, no matter what time of actually finishing it. None of the chores that should be done was done. So quickly I made a cup of tea, running around to make sure what needs to be done was done. Saw the time! 8:30 Parents are back soon, what can I make really quickly. HMMMM Skype message my friends "Hi, I sort of got carried away with time. I need something quick and easy to cook, any ideas?" One of my friends in Germany called Rachel. Messaged me back, "You can make, penne all'arrabbiata in thirty minutes." She even gave me a link, I had a chili that needs to be used up  and had majority of the ingredients in the house apart from the Pecorino cheese though mature cheddar cheese would do the job. 

MMM.... pasta loaded with cheese!

My adaption to the recipe:

Dash of oil

1 fresh finely chopped chili

1-3 clove of glove finely chopped

1 can of tomatoes (could be chopped or just normal)

1-2 teaspoon of sugar

1 vegetable oxo cube

200g of pasta

Either fresh parsley or dried

Pecorino cheese or any cheese you have

1) Put the kettle on, for the boiling water for pasta and your cup of tea. While the kettle is boiling, put a small pan on  medium heat with a dash of oil, meanwhile put the garlic in a class jar with the lid on, and shake it up and down for around 30 seconds this is to take the skin of the garlic off. Chop the garlic up really finely. If you like your food spicy then just chop chili, whereas if you are like me you just like the flavor of chili but not so much of the kick then remove the seeds out of the chili and wash you hands no touching eyes. They will sting like made, even worse than chopping an onion. The kettle should be boiled, so put that into another saucepan, make your cup of tea. Put the garlic and chili in the saucepan for two minutes or until the garlic is soft and golden, whatever you do, do not let it go burn. It taste revolting! 

2) Put the pasta in the saucepan full of water. 

3) When the chili and garlic turns into that nice golden colour, you put the chopped tomatoes in, if you don't have chopped tomatoes an normal tinned of tomatoes would do. Use scissors to cut the tomatoes up. Season with pepper and salt if you wish, I sometimes find the chopped tomatoes on a sour taste so I put either one teaspoon of sugar in maybe two, with one vegetable oxo cube. You normally dissolve it in boiling water, though sometimes you just want the flavor not the liquid so I find if you grind it with your fingers it does the job. 

4) When the pasta is done to your taste, I like my pasta to be al dente, reserve some of the liquid to add to your sauce this will give the sauce more body because of the starchiness. Add the sauce into the pasta for  minute. 

5) Put your dish in the microwave for a minute,  sprinkle some parsley on your penne all'arrabbiata. If you don't have any fresh parsley you could if you wish use dried and put that in the step three after you put the vegetable oxo cube in. Grate some cheese if you got some Pecorino cheese lurking in the fridge than serve it what that, if not and you just got normal cheese in your fridge use that. 

6) Enjoy you pasta! 

Cuddling up with a book with a hot drink while the fire is on. Digital image. The NBC news. 13 February 2017. Web. 24th November 2017. <www.nbcnews.com>

Monthly Musings: June and July

Did you miss me? I know it's been two months since I blogged, how does time just vanish from you that quick. It's not often that you get two Monthly Musings in a row, is it?  In fact, it's not ever that you've had two Monthly Musings in a row. But I have been so busy, busy as meaning living under a rock. Remember in December when I said if I don't blog for such a l-o-n-g time it means that I am reading. 

Well over the last two months I have been doing? (In pictures)

Lots of reading books, here is just a selection. As most of them are from the library which I handed in!

If you can't tell from the t-shirts, I have successfully completed the Blaydon race (1hr 06mins 2sec) and Gateshead 10K (1hr 16mins 5secs) 

Which means I was allowed to have chocolate brownies!

I don't always drink coffee, I also drink tea and eat plenty of chocolate brownies of the last two months! Though it's fine because I run it off. 

Baking!!!!!!!!!!! And eating plenty of cake, if we had no cake in the house,  I will just make it!

Made scones pronounced to make it rhyme with cone! My church just like to rope me in doing things when I drink black coffee! First time, I went to church was to go to the coffee morning got roped in doing messy church. Second time drinking coffee got myself into toddler group. The last time was making 30 scones! This was my third batch the last two looks more like little rock cakes!!!!! Though they would be nice with a pot of tea, clotted cream and strawberry jam. 

Had plenty of pasta when my folks were out for a weekend break. Well I'm doing running, need all my carbohydrates I can get! The pasta I made that has four servings was buttnersquash mac 'n' cheese. 

Cooked myself potato and parsnip gratin with sausages. Though there are no parsnips as I don't like them!!

Tex mex version of mac 'n' cheese. I can live on mac 'n' cheese and chocolate brownies. Not a very good diet, I know.

The old pound coin with the new pound coin

I have rule when making myself hot beverages, which is to stay in the kitchen, as I keep making myself cup of teas in different stages. Entertained myself when the kettle was boiling to make a flower with a big battery as the middle bit of the flower than my hearing aids battery as the petals.

Every year, I make it my intention to taste all the summer specials in Costa. So here is one of them. I forget what it is! Have I told you have a goldfish memory?

I went to Jesmond Dene received a text from my friend to go the hoppings only to look after her bag. Nope!! I managed to get on the rides for free or half of the price. Have no idea how I managed to do that, though I'm still not keen on rides, I enjoyed it to an extent but I wasn't overall happy not like my friend who was just grinning the whole evening! I was grinning went I went home to do knitting! 

Hopefully, I would August wrap up on time! 

Monthly musings: May

Before you start reading, grab a cuppa because it's going to be a l--o--n--g catch up.

Panorama of the main attractions by the quayside (millennium bridge, Baltic, Sage, River tyne and the River Tyne bridge)

However difficult like may seem, there is something you can do and succeed at. 

A month where I re-read books and one them just happened to be 'Theory of everything' and the quote I shared with you is from Stephen Hawking. That quote really spoke to me this month, when everything started crumbling down with my mental health things looked uncertain for my future. I year since my relative passed away. Missing my awesome friends who knows how to deal with me when upset.

I have had such a long reading slump it wasn't until recently where I can enjoy reading again maybe to much. I got on a bus to go home and read my book as I normally would do only finding myself back into town again and I'm sure I have left Newcastle, checked my phone to make sure I'm not going crazy. For once, I wasn't going crazy I have managed to read my book on a bus when it made the trip to Walbottle and back to town again.

Rodger (Teddy bear)  in different positions

At college, i'm doing my last project which is a project where I get to decide what to do and which bit of digital design I would like to do. No brainer, I chose to do photography and it really made me pick up my phone or my camera and start taking pictures. The panorama is one of the things we had to and so was multiplicity (picture above). My parents were out,( I thought) they came in the living room at the worst time possible. I was putting Rodger in a position, used the TV speaker as a tripod with all the props I would like to use dotted around the living room. In the kitchen I made cups of tea but forget about them. If I get myself in a rut, I put a the kettle on and make a cup of tea. Impatience, Rebecca doesn't stand still so I would do other things while the kettle boiling they were three cups of tea in the kitchen at different stages. One of them was a full cup of tea just a matter of drinking it hot. One of them had the tea bag in and just needs removing though has milk. Whereas the last cup only had the tea bag and milk. I thought, I could get away with that. Though nope. So I now have to stay in the kitchen and w-a-i-t and w-a-i-t. I am also very good at forgetting I have made a hot drink so I tend to drink my hot beverage cold. Though you can get ice coffee and tea which does taste good though having made a hot drink in order to drink it hot though only finding yourself to drink it cold. Does not taste good. Though I drink it anyhow!

I wonder if  Roger can continue knitting my cardigan for me!

Speaking about knitting. Time to show you how much progress I made with help from Roger!

Back of my cardigan

Either a left or a right sleeve

I knitted a side pair last month andI the other side this month

Some weeks I had the joy of going to two knitting clubs in one week. One on a Tuesday and one on a Saturday. You can tell, i'm into this knitting. Can't you?

This month, I had more time on my hands.  I unfortunately had no weeks of running. Don't look at me like that! I had two weeks of because of annoying dreaded shin splints. I now know why, because I have flat feet and most of my shoes got no arch support. Trying to find shoes that has arch support is proving to be difficult than it seems. I then had another week because of an ear infection. I just have a week to get to grips with running and at the end of the week I have Blaydon race. How bad can I be?

Finally my Dad a full weekend off! Which meant a family day out all three of us. Something that is unheard of as normally my Mum and Dad go out, I stay at home and read books do knitting. Maybe a bit of cleaning. I could have my cheesy chips but there weren't any cheesy chips they were chips that were loaded with your desired filling. I chose mexican chicken with a side of cheese! We would walk, five thousand more. We then decided to go for a long walk from Whitley bay to Tynemouth or that is what my folks said. I didn't it was long though it was raining so we did walk at a brisk pace to go Tynemouth. I had a very nice hot chocolate, I was cold. And i'm fussy with my tea and I'm trying to cut down on my caffeine intake.

Maths+pens=coffee

May means two exams. One at the beginning which was English. I think that one went ok. The actual exam wasn't to bad there were things that could potentially trip me up and I just hope the examiner could read my writing it's so tiny but very intricate. I then had another exam at the end of the month which was Maths. Another exam to go and then that should mean no longer doing Maths and English.

It was my birthday this month, I even had a present from the exam board though only had it for 1hr and 45 minutes. Yep the Maths Exam. The next Maths exam is on the 8th June which is the election.

Birthday presents

Some of these are from my money last year, though most of you won't get to see what I got from the money you gave me. As I tend to get a bus if we are having a day out though the weather is to warm to wear a jacket but to cold just to get away from wearing a jumper. I decided to get a gilet (bodywarmer). As most of cardigans are worn out I decided to treat myself to FatFace cardigan it was in the sale. And I got some more money, I'm hoping to get a pair of shoes with some arch support or a Superdry hoodie!

When I was in Farnborough and was working I got so bad at buying books. My friends had to hold my hands when walking pass book shops therefore, I cannot get any books. Such bad friends. (Thanks Cherry and Crazy Rachel) I only went to Waterstones to ask about book clubs as no one reads books up here. I was at Waterstones I could have a look at the books, doesn't mean I have to buy it. Right? Though I stumbled over a book called 'Holding up the universe by Jennifer Niven' I couldn't resist it especially as one of the character as 'prosopagnosia' (face blind). I only bought one book and not a handful. So least I made progress!

I told my parents not to get me anything as they got me plenty. They pay for my running races, got my bike fixed and cleaning products. Even my Dad cleaned my bike for me. But nope they decided to get something little, I got some body shop things like showel gel and a book which I told my parents about!

A picture that I didn't take

Again it's been a month where I wasn't sure where i'm going. Am I going to the world of work? Or stay at college for another two years even three? Or listen to my folks and see where apprenticeship might lead? Decisions, decisions.

I was confused on all the different options and unsure if I could get funded for college. I decided to speak to a careers advisor. Though I decided to apply for an apprenticeship as I had a three years of college and think I should start earning some money and start on the career leader. I had an interview at the end of May and got accepted for childcare apprenticeship which starts on the 7th August.

When I was in Crawcrook, I explored the different cafes around my local area. I'm doing the same thing though in town. I met up with my friend for a cup of tea at the Qulliams Brothers it has over 60 choice of tea. It is like you are entering a living room-some areas in the cafe you sit on the cushions it's so comfy and it the cafe even serves carrot cake. It was a difficult choice to decide on a pot of tea to have and what cake to have. It has loads of flapjack. I am eager to go again.

There was an open day event at my college for childcare. I had about an hour to get something to eat for dinner as I had knitting club. So that meant one and only place. Mcdonald's. I'm in no rush to go again, next time I will go to Five guys. See i'm not all that posh!!!!!!!!

That's my tea and cake sorted out!

Oh and no! I didn't ate the whole lot!! I had a holiday and was bored on one day so I decided to bake a cake.  It was so sweet and so glad I got some clotted cream. Though I had a problem Mum and Dad aren't big cakes eaters. Not like me! I had no friends where I normally give them cake if I have too much. I decided to give 3/4 of it to my church,  that way it cannot get to waste and other people might enjoy it better. I found it nice but I could only have a slither as it was far to sweet. I will stick to cake with fruit or vegetable as it takes away the sweetness away plus it counts towards one of your 1 of you five a day. Or is seven now?

Monthly musings: April

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” - Charles M. Schulz

I'm writing this by being blinded by the sun, window open. I think the summer is here. I don't want to rejoice that much in case the sun goes away. 

My Mum did some calculations at the beginning of the Month, it been a year since we knew about Dad redundancy and a whole six months of living in Westerhope. (And still no house tour.) Where has that time gone? 

April has been weird month for me with my well being. I have been so overwhelmed thank goodness I had the Easter holidays when I did. To recover, by going off the grid. Though I did respond to messages that were deemed to be important. You know where everything gets to you and you cannot seem to run away and hide. Then sort things out.

Running progress

I can now run 8K, with a bit of walking-only because I have to the cross over the road. One day I even managed to run 14K. I ran 6K in the morning that I was intending to do before college just for my sanity. I then had a such a bad day at college, I ran another 8K in the evening  Even got a runner high as they call it. You can see i'm into this runner business, can't you? I had to run though one major problem 'hitting the wall.' I'm sure hitting an actual wall is less painful than hitting the wall while exercising. I only managed 5.5K in an hour run, where I could normal run 8K in an hour with a face pace but a 6k where I am comfortable.

April meant one thing for my running. I got PB (personal best) for the parkrun where you run 5km for run on Saturday morning. Just you and the stopwatch.  Not just once but twice in one month. That meant I could eat twice in 'Creames'. Believe it or not, I haven't. My first time I got a PB my Mum got me some yarn and I'm knitting myself a cardigan. The second time I got a PB, is a token to go to 'Creames' as my Dad wants to go. I will have to wait much longer.

I also got my Blaydon race number through the post. About a month to go and still have no idea about the song. It's all on in Geordie even the information booklet is. My Mum had to translate it for me!

College

I am now getting there with my work load. My well being plummet right down and college work left to the backseat where my emotions were everywhere it was even driving the vehicle. Though now my mind is and things are getting done, slowly but surely. That's for certain. I now have two projects on the go though they link to each other very well. So hopefully I can get them done before the marking is over. 

I have made a firm decision where my career is going. It's not photography. Computers and I don't get along and I much prefer working with young children and I think I am more academic than generating ideas. Especially creative ones. I'm not good at coming up with idea on my feet, I much prefer solitude time to myself analyze the idea. Maybe I over analyze things. Is that even a thing?

Personal life

The weather even allows me to put the washing outside to dry!

I didn't do things out of the ordinary, this Month. It could be summarized as knitting and running. Though my lovely calendar said, that I met up with two of my friends One on a bank holiday Monday where I met Clementine in Durham for a quick coffee and went for a short walk in the city. I didn't want to spend a lot of  time with my friend because she was visiting her relatives. I met another friend in  Newcastle town for a cup of a tea. Thanks for a lovey afternoons, Clementine and Alice! 

Mum and I had some 'Mum and Daughter time' One of them was to see 'beauty and the beast' which was so lovely. I just had 'be our guest' song in my head for the entire month. The other time was having a walk in town seeing all the historic buildings.Which meant one thing, after the walk we could get a well earned drink. Though my Mum don't ask me which pub to go to as I just go to the expensive ones. I don't mean to.

Speaking about drinks, I had my first alcoholic drink that I enjoyed though took me three hours to drink 'Kopparberg' even then it was half the bottle. I will just stick to appletiser!

Knitting progress with pictures

My left knitted sipper. Can you tell I like purple! There should be button where my finger is.

A bit of my knitted cardigan!

Monthly musings: March

Like is like riding a bicycle, to stay balanced you must keep moving.

This photo was on my phone and thought it should be uploaded.

Hooray spring is here. The thing in the yellow sky is going to come out and say 'hello.' Instead of doing his disappearing act and playing tick a boo and hide behind sky.

This month could be summarised as eating cake and knitting. Oh and a bit of running. As my phone decides to play up, well it was broken and doing a parkrun made my phone compute. So I no longer have access to the bottom buttons. So I cannot see what photos I took. Which is why this blog post is going to be rather short. As I take photos to document my life and it helps to remember what I been up to! I have uploaded two blog post which could be included in my monthly wrap up though I think they need there own post.

Google the search engine is so useful because it tells you when certain days has a significance such as the 17th March is International happiness day. Im sure there is a day or even a week of something such as the hug day. I'm sure one of my friends only made that up to make me more affectionate. Who knows!? I thought, I might try 'mindfulness' something that has been so raved on the internet all the psychology students are talking about it. I might give it a try AGAIN.  I have meditated before, it went something like, constant thoughts about things I need to do, things that have just happened, people who have annoyed me, people i'm worried about or people annoyed me or people who I get on their nerves (who me, I know hard to believe)… See it can be hard to even experience a few moments of quiet in your mind. Though I tried it and it surprisingly good fun. It's very difficult something that doesn't come easy, sitting still and think about nothing. Something that is unheard off! I'm constantly doing something!  I tend to mindfulness while walking, just being aware in the present what does it feel when my foot lands on the floor? What is the rhythm of my walking.

This month has been full of art and crafts. The bookmark I tried to do in Christmas holidays was completed in March. I didn't know how to do the backing and was really anxious to get it wrong as it was supposed to be a gift for someone. If you could just allow me to show you my awesome creations that has been made in March.

Just started my first knitting project! What is it going to be?

The finished result of a key ring! Only if someone gets some felt!

My first two cross stitch projects.

It been a month where I went to the hospital twice! Not a thing that wants to be repeated! I went to the doctors for an Asthma review, yet got told I have an eating disorder. I eat everything in sight especially cake. If there is no cake in the house, I magical make one appear. It might be a long time till I go back the doctors.

I had a week of commuting to college by bike, without getting chased by animals. Honestly, I do nothing to be harmful one minute they are just grazing next moment they are running towards me then start chasing me. I didn't get lost either. The only thing that could be better, is if I checked when Newcastle football is playing as I locked up by my bike opposite the stadium. A very bad move and something that shouldn't get repeated. You learn from your mistakes! Do I? Maybe I shouldn't answer that question and leave it as a rhetorical question!

Maybe April would have lots more photos, as the weather is warming up which means walking and that means one thing. Photo walk!

Monthly musing: February

This month definitely felt that winter is never ending, but with the first appearance of daffodils making an appearance outside, we'll soon have spring in our step. After all, February is the most romantic month of the year!

This time of the year can be wet, cold, and miserable. The celebration of new beginnings that come with New Year is long gone and we're all quite often back to our old ways despite trying! Well, until around Pancake Day, when we're given another opportunity to better ourselves, thanks to Lent!

I actually rather enjoy this bleak and grey time of year! Because I love wrapping up warm and the cosy feeling that partners it. Still, how to keep yourself entertained when it's cold outside without eventually getting serious cabin fever?

By reading!!!!!!!!

I been very busy with my running this month. Nearly every Saturday I go and run a 5K mostly walking and a bit of running. I'm only halfway in my couch to 5K! Which can go a bit better, had the most popular and dreaded injury which is the one and only shin splints.

We had snow! Told you we will have snow sometime. Though it snowed, stayed for a while then melted. So didn't really enjoyed the essence of it, apart from making footprints in the snow. I couldn't even make an angel. Oh, i'm not that childish.

I got to spend time with my Dad during the half term. Little things matter. He works very hard at his new job up here in Newcastle and work on shifts so one week he works from 6am to sometime in the afternoon. Then the next week from 2pm to anything in late evening (which is a bonus) to early morning the next day. Thankfully, during the half term, Dad worked on the later shift. Which meant that I had to share my cake. I didn't bake the cake it's was on a special offer in Asda and I really fancied carrot cake. Typical though, when you really want something you cannot find it or they don't have it in stock.  Though no one complained about black forest gateau. Especially because I paid.

Happy time and clock!!!!!!!!

This was the month where I got ID, to go to a nightclub and get drunk Would I do a thing like that? Though on a more honest approach, I actually got ID to go a to a pub with my Mum for a evening drink before getting a bite to eat. I only went to the pub to drink a soft drink.

I went to see two good films though very hard hitting and very emotional. Though I'm sure I cry at anything. I watched 'Loving' which is  true story about a young couple Richard Loving and Mildred Jeter. They lived a modest life in Virginia, not bothering anyone, just going quietly about their business. Yet one night police raided their home and arrested them both. Their crime? Richard was white and Mildred was black. Their interracial marriage violated state law. The Loving’s mission to have their relationship recognised as legitimate would take over a decade and go all the way to the Supreme Court. If you are feeling like the world is in an worthless place right now, Loving is a welcome reminder that things can get better. People can be good. The ungenuine don't always win.

I also watched 'I, Daniel Blake' Daniel Blake has worked as a carpenter for most of his life in Newcastle. Now, for the first time ever, he needs help from the State. He crosses paths with a single mother Katie and her two young children, Daisy and Dylan. Katie's only chance to escape a one-roomed homeless hostel in London has been to accept a flat in a city she doesn't know, some 300 miles away. Daniel and Katie find themselves in no-man's land, caught on the barbed wire of welfare bureaucracy as played out against the rhetoric of 'striver and skiver' in modern day Britain. The film shows the nitty and gritty bits of the benefits system. Which needs to be changed? Another post, coming later on this!

My song, this month is very childish though very good fun. I help out with messy church which is every third Wednesday of the month. The leaders finished early and didn't know how to entertain the children for five minutes. So I said, well I know a camp song though it's highly addictive and will get on the parents nerves. It was good fun dancing to the penguin song even more so watching the children participate even the adults.

My parents and I, occasionally have a music night by using Youtube. Unfortunately they put me in charge which means I can play wacky songs playing. My two favorite songs at the moment, is the penguin song, and Run, run, run my Michael Lewis. And yes, the penguin song got played my Dad has that song in his head.

It's about two or three weeks with no reading. I went to the library yesterday to find out that I had a hefty fine to pay. The modern library have a self service system so no more stamp date at the front of the book which I am used to. Though found a good book to read which is, 'Why we run a story of an obsession by Robin Harvie.

Shall I say quote of the Month or text of the month? "Also why as the bananas gone bananas? (That's not a joke) They somehow half peeled!"

Monthly musings: January

It's been a quiet month that hasn't ended up being hectic. Which is fantastic. If you read the comments or have a good eye for detail you probably wondering "When is Rebecca, posting a blog about New year Weekend." Well when I say it's been quiet its understatement, I have been busy but nothing out of the ordinary. Plus it would be boring to read the ins and out of a weekend that has got no pictures. Right? Thought so.

It was a chance to meet up with everyone that I went dancing with and that I meet up now and then for lunch out with my two close friends Crazy Rachel and Cherry. We had the New Year weekend away in the Lake District by the Windermere. As in December Fenicks window at Northumberland street (Newcastle town) had a lovely display  of Beatrix Potter. During the festive period I just admire the music and the display everyday when I had a chance and not many people were around. It was lovely catching up with people that I haven't seen for ages. In fact one them is studying in Northumbria university so had a lovely lunch out every now and then. 

January is a weird month, everyone gets so excited and trying to be a better person. I'm included and trying to train the great north run unfortunately my stomach muscles are lacking a bit. I need to improve my core strength. You just think in order to run a half marathon you just need to practice running. Turns out that you need to do stretching and do a full workout, sit ups, push ups and plank. Though having a step back is normal so hopefully I get back in the cold to start running again.

I kicked off the year by seeing The Kite Runner in the West End. I fell in love with the film and the book a few years ago, and it seems like such a timely story given that a lot of the ugly racism we're seeing stems from not understanding one another. In the cinema, I watched and loved La La Land and Hidden Figures. My first book of the year was Stephen King's On Writing.

It's going to be a short monthly wrap up. 

Monthly musings: December

Merry Christmas and a happy new year

I thought it should have a bit of festive theme to it, after all it's December wrap up. I thought of taking a photo of the Christmas tree so you can see all of its glory. Though you always see the Christmas tree like that. I decided to get close by and take a photo of that.

I looked up on Google for the best quotes of the end of the year, And what a year it has been on a personal note, twelve months ago I didn't know we where moving 300 miles up north. One of my relatives passed away or that I would be attending Newcastle college. On a more general note I didn't know United Kingdom would leave the EU or Donald Trump be a president for the US. I really liked Hal Borland quote. Which is the quote I am going to share to with you, Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."

A month where all you eat is mince pies and chocolate that says "eat me". I don't like chocolate but this month every chocolate that was in sight managed to get in my hands. Espscially those dark chocolate. My Mum and Dad got worried when I had the celebrations box to myself. (NOT ALL IN ONE GO) They hid there chocolate from me. Never mind, I just got my matchsticks left which is really nice in the evening when I have a cup of coffee I stir the matchstick in my coffee it taste really nice.

Thought you might like to see Alex.

At the start of the month, I kept forgetting to take pictures of my outings. One of which was going to Starbucks with my friend Alex (don't get any ideas.) I didn't want him to be one his own so went to Starbucks for a lovely afternoon. Who else uses a fork while eating a cake? Honestly we were having a lovely at Starbucks despite our face expressions.

There's only so much TV you can watch when off college. For my first time in ages I didn't had enough work to do keep myself entertained. So in the evenings I am tired of watching TV even then I don't like sitting and doing nothing. I keep finding myself doing Sudoku's it took me a whole month to do all three. Though I did, and you have evidence.

I had a flying visit down south. Though really it shouldn't be called flying because I didn't flew down. I got the train down south. A very long train journey down but you do get to see amazing views and you get to see Angel of the North not as clearly as you could when I was smaller as those trees have decided to grow and hide the Angel. Here are some of the photo's I took. And thanks for everyone who said I could stay with them. Especially to my grandparents who hospitality was amazing!!

My grandma and granddad taking a photo of me and Seth

From the left you have Auntie Clare, Cousin Seth and Uncle Stuart

Seth's attempt of taking a photo of me. (you have to start somewhere)

This was about two or three years ago, so I thought we should a take another photo

Here you go, a more updated photo. From the left you have Lawrence, of course me and then Tia.

Time for silly poses

Whose gonna win the starring competition? Tia or Rebecca

I forgot to take photos when I met up with my friend Emily and Lawrence in Camberly to do last minute Christmas shop and a well deserved coffee. I also went to my previous church Christmas party again forgot to take any photos. I told you i'm bad at remembering taking photos.

While at the party we had to create things. Here is my attempt at making a snowflake. Maybe I should improve for 2017.

Now that's the end of my photos when I went down south. As I said it was a long journey from Blackwater to Newcastle. Very tiring. So I tried to sleep on the train. I learned from my mistake though, I put an alarm on for 4:30 my train stops at Newcastle at 4:45 it's enough time to have a chocolate bar to wake myself up. Think again. The kind gentleman next to me woke me up saying, "Sorry to wake you up, but i'm getting off at Doncaster don't know when you are getting off." Maybe I should have a sign saying, "don't wake me up." or "I'm getting off at Newcastle," But never mind. I got a cup of coffee instead. This month has really been full of drinking coffee.

Can you have too much popcorn?

My Mum and I watched beauty and the beast at the ptomaine. Yes we did! It was really good despite all the Georgie jokes. Getting rice thrown at you. But you do get sweets you just have to be a good catcher or go with someone who is a good at catching. Then went for a bite to eat.

My first ever alcoholic drink

Now I thought this was a dessert where you had a Tiramisu in a cocktail class with  amaretto and the other liquor not a cocktail.  It taste's alright, but something I won't have again. I didn't like the strong taste of it. And a lesson to myself not to order a dessert when tired you will pick something you don't want. Go home and have ice cream that way you won't pick up an alcohol drink by accident.

Quote of the month:

I can't remember the conversation but remember my response which was, young enough to know I can, old enough to know I shouldn't, stupid enough to do it anyway.

This month contained lots 

• Board games, which I did not win😞
• Drinking far too much coffee
• Lots of walking, (another blog post coming up)

I finally sorted all my boxes out for my bedroom. Yeppe!! No more boxes that just appear out of no where. It's amazing how much stuff we accumulated got rid of. Yet takes a l-o-n-g time to sort everything and fine a new home for everything. 

Just how much books have I got.

(Why did it changed front?) Enough to start a small library. If you don't see another blog post appearing it's because I got my head in one of these books. Now the choice I have to make is which one to read first!