Changes

It certainly has been a while!

I'm sorry I haven't updated before now, I've been very busy with exams, group projects and uni work and it's all been a bit crazy.

A very blurry Belfast Lough, taken from East Belfast

I've spent a lot less time online recently because I've been so busy but it's also given me time to think. I have a lot going for me at the minute but even still I'd like to boost it even more. I'd maybe like to do a bit of travelling either alone or with someone, but somewhere different. I looked at volunteering and maybe teaching abroad and stuff but realistically I won't be able to do much travelling until my placement is over, since I'll probably want to spend a whole summer travelling, so I'm thinking the summer of 2014 would be a great time to do it, and if not I'll find another way. It gives me plenty of time to save and plan and it would be a great experience. I looked at myself last week and thought, "I can do way better with myself, I need to enjoy life before I get too much older."

Since I haven't updated since before Christmas I thought I'd share some of my really cool techy presents I recieved as presents. My parents surprised me with the new iPad with retina display as my main present, and since I'd only asked for a new hairdryer (my old one trips the electricity and starts smoking if you turn it on!) this was quite a surprise for me! It's my new baby basically, it comes with me everywhere and I've hardly touched my laptop and iPhone since I got it. I've even done all of my revision and uni work using my iPad. I got a nice bluetooth keyboard to go with it, which is great for lectures.

Another handy device I got from Santa was the wi-drive I talked about in my last post. My dad knew I'd appreciate one especially since it would go so well with the iPad so that's how I've been doing all of my revision. I keep all of my lecture notes, past papers and book pdfs, as well as my entire collection of music and pictures on it, it's so handy.

I also recieved a brand new Raspberry Pi, which I've been pining over buying since it first came out. It's really cool and although I didn't get to use it much until the other day (I didn't have a USB keyboard anywhere) I've already written a few Python programs and set it up. I'm still trying to find my way around it but I can't wait to learn more Python.

I also got a few other cool things... the Brave DVD, a Looney Tunes DVD collection, lots of clothes, chocolate and beauty products, some jewellery, CDs and bits and bobs.

Although I love the presents I get at Christmas I've definitely got to the point were I appreciate the atmosphere on Christmas day rather than the presents. I love seeing family and the food and cheesy games. It was a really nice day and I hope next year is just as nice!


Since I last posted a few other things have happened too. After handing in hundreds of CVs and attending my first interview I'm glad to say that I have my placement sorted. I'm very excited and I can't wait to start! I'm also planning to travel to America this summer with my parents so I'll have to plan around the placement and everything else. Since my placement will last a year I'll be leaving Tesco during that time so I can work full time. I'm really looking forward to the change because although I enjoy my Tesco job, I've been doing the same thing for 3 years and some more challenging work will definitely be welcomed.

The QCS formal is also just around the corner now! It's a week on Thursday actually, and I'm pretty proud of the committee. A formal is not easy to organise but we've done very well and we've managed to secure some amazing prizes. It's going to be a great night, I'm just not looking forward to the few days leading up to it, it will be crazy! Here's one of our tickets:

Thanks for reading!