Bookish Scenarios Tag

1. You have to get rid of all your books and you can only keep one from each of these genres - contemporary, fantasy, non-fiction and one other genre of your choosing. What books do you keep?

For my contemporary I would choose to keep if I Stay by Gayle Forman. It is a truly heart wrenching story and really makes you reflect on your own life and where your priorities are. I think everyone needs to do that once in a while.

 For fantasy I think I would go with the obvious choice. Harry Potter. It's just such a familiar journey. A story I have loved pretty much my whole life.

I don't really read a lot of none-fiction but I chose to go with Grace's Guide. It was a difficult choice between that and My Drunk Kitchen by Hannah Hart. I went with Grace's Guide because I don't think I have cry-laughed as a book so much.

For my other category I went with Death Note. I will never get bored of this book. There is just so much plot and even if I know the story back-to-front I can always appreciate the art work.

2. You're at the book shop and you hear a teenager telling their mum they don't like to read, but their mum insists they pick something. You walk over and recommend a book you think is great for people who aren't big on reading - what book is it?

I would choose The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is a book that everyone is talking about and this is the book that really got me properly into reading so hopefully it would do the same for others.

3. You're not feeling yourself and need a pick me up. Which book do you read to put yourself in a great mood?

Usually anything at all by John Green. You've just got to love his writing and his characters. 

4. You go back in time for a day to your teenage years. What book would you most likely have caught yourself reading?

I maybe was not reading this during my teenage years but particularity when I was younger I would read 'The Worst Witch'. I found it easy to relate to the character of Mildred Hubble trying to fit in and muddle through school with her two best friend whilst trying to stay out of trouble.

5. Your friend surprises you with a 4 day trip and you have 1 hour to pack. Which book do you bring to read on the way?

Usually I would just take with me whatever book I was reading at the time but if I had to choose of course I would go with Mr John Green.

6. Your house has been robbed! Don't worry - everyone is safe, but your bookshelf has been raided. What's the book you really hope is safe?

I have to say my signed copy of Looking For Alaska. It is by far my favourite John Green book and did I also mention it is signed?

7. Your friend borrows a book and returns it in awful condition. Do you a) Just pretend you haven't noticed b) Ask them to repurchase it or c) Secretly do the same to something of theirs

I am usually very careful about who I lend my books to. I am usually more worried about getting them back than what condition they are in. Though I am also very bad at returning books sometimes. I borrowed this copy of The Book Thief from my Aunt and Uncle about a year ago. I took a photo to prove it is in safe hands!

Feel free to answer any of the questions on your blog! I would be really interested to see the different answers.

Rachel xxx

Winter Snaps

This winter I have taken a few random pictures on my phone. There is not really any rhyme or reason to them is just for the memories

Sorry that the quality is not that great as these where taken from my phone.

This tree is just outside the St James' Shopping centre in Edinburgh. I decided to embarrass my friend I was with by stopping to take a photo in the middle of a busy street when people where trying to get past.

I took this one in a coffee shop waiting for my friend. I think this was taken on one of the coldest days in December so far. It was such a relief to be warm and cosy in stead of out in the bitter cold.

This is not really a Christmassy or winter related one but I  just thought it was funny that me and my friend Emily had matching space themed shoes. We are definitely not afraid to show our inner nerd! I love these shoes and wear them everyday apart from work, even though they have holes in them I am not ready to say goodbye!

I love a good Hot Chocolate I truly believe it warms your body, heart and soul. This is also my favourite mug. It is kind of ironic as I do not actually own a cat. ONE DAY MUM!

The beginning of my epic wrapping adventure. I had to colour in the bag as I don't want anyone to see their present that shouldn't!

This is our sweet little nativity scene in church. The minister told the children that he was not allowed to play with it so that meant they certainly weren't.

This are some of the bags that where made at our church craft evening. I can assure you that mine did not turn out half as good.

This shop on George street I discovered was wrapped up like a Christmas present. I know I would not enjoy that job as I am totally terrified of heights.

Winters are cold in Scotland. Even under several blankets and duvets I still had to wear gloves when reading my book.

That but not least a little bit of snow. I think it managed to last for about two hours. I am still holding out hope for sledging!

I hope you enjoyed these wee photies (imagine a Scottish accent). They are a bit random and not very exciting but I said it's for the memories

Rachel xxx

True Meaning of Christmas....?

Gifts? Family? Friends? Giving? Christ?

These days Christmas has so many different meanings to many different people. 

 We all know how easy it is to get caught up in the commercialised side of Christmas. Like I said yesterday I am no Scrooge. I love walking around Winter Wonderland soaking up the atmosphere with a Hot Chocolate, looking at all the trinkets and people trying not to fall over on the ice rink.

I love hanging out with my friends and family at this time of year where you are forced to be in a room that is too small for the amount of people. You are listening to your brother and grandpa arguing about the latest advance in technology. Your Granny is telling you about her newest knitting pattern and you are telling the rest of the people in the room about a really interesting concept you read in a book recently when you know no one else really cares (just me?). I just love it. I have been trying to figure out why I love it. It's just one of those things you start to appreciate when you get older (just to be clear I am only 20, I know that sentence makes me sound like I'm 60).

Despite all that happiness and contempt it doesn't take much for that bubble to pop. Well for me it doesn't. Turning over to the news in the middle of a Christmas film. Walking past a homeless person when Christmas shopping. Reading about horrific stories of abuse in the middle of browsing Tumblr. I immediately feel guilty about everything I have and that I am able to have such an enjoyable time when there is so much suffering. In other years I have been able to block it out and continue in this festive universe where nothing bad happens but this year I am facing reality more and more. How do you deal with it? 

For me that is where Christ comes in. This week I felt particularly bad watching the news about the Sydney siege. I think a situation like this where there is loss it causes people to ask questions about God such as 'How can God let this happen' 'Why doesn't God stop the suffering?'. For me it does the opposite it answers my questions 'How can we heal from this?' 'How can we move on from what is broken?'. For me the answer is Christ. I understand that not everyone will agree with me but it is where I seek my comfort in a season which is about the coming of a savour where we are supposed to be cheerful and happy but the suffering doesn't go away.

 Sorry this wasn't the most light hearted of posts but it has been on my mind for the last few days. The next post will not be quite so serious.

Rachel xxx

All Wrapped up!

Hello Blogger Friends!

Long time no blog! I apologise if I have made that joke before, I have not got time to look through all my previous failed come backs. 

Two people mentioned to me today how much they missed my blog. Considering I have not even thought about my blog for many months I took it as a sign that I should start back up again.

Today I got one of my least favourite Christmas jobs out of the way, wrapping. 

It's not that I am ungrateful! I love the opportunity to give gifts to the people I love to show how much I appreciate them. It's the actual wrapping I don't enjoy all that much. I find it very stressful to sit for hours battling with scissors, tape and paper. The finished product never quite turns out how you'd hoped and there is always that one person that turns up with the perfectly wrapped present with extra ribbon and glitter making it look effortless and they claim to actually enjoy the process. Maybe it's my lack of patients or my over all worry that the person I am wrapping for might not like the present but whatever it is I like to get it out of the way as soon as possible. 

To make the experience as stress free as possible I made sure I had the right supplies to keep me going, this includes tea in my favourite mug, enough chocolate to keep me sane (I did have to consume the whole bag of Cadbury's Dairy Milk) and believe it or not I am no Scrooge so my favourite Christmas film was on. The Grinch. Such and epic film in so many ways.

It was a such a relief to finally see all the gifts under the tree. Done and dusted on the 17th of December with a whole week to go before Christmas! I would consider that a special achievement. 

What about you? Does wrapping stress you out or are you one of those creative types that enjoy making their gift into an art piece that will inevitably get ripped open in 30 seconds? 

It's the thought that counts right?

Rach xxx

April Round-up!

April was a mixed month for me. I got up to some really great stuff but it was mostly let down with the amount of studying I had to do. I am so glad my exams are over but I feel bad as I know that many people are just starting them. I thought I would just go though some of my highlights of this month and will probably make a more detailed about individual events later!

Hanging out with my baby cousin and wondering how she got so big!?

A lot of this. So glad the studying is over for now. Hopefully it paid off!

Went to see a modern adaptation of the Easter Passion in Edinburgh Princess Street Gardens. Which was an interesting experience. The actors where brilliant and the play was very well written. I just found the fact that Jesus died of a lethal injection instead of being crucified a bit weird. Took me a while to get into that idea. However it was a lovely day and lots of people where there which was great and the message was still clear.

Then Easter happened where I of course ate too much chocolate and cakes.

My Granpa turn 70! We had a lovely party and I was nice to see family I don't normally get to see. I think he is doing pretty good for 70!

The highlight of my month by far was seeing MCBUSTED! Writing a post on that so you have something to look forward too!

These next photos where taken on my phone so the quality is not great. But this was the first time this year it was warm enough to sit outside and read a book which is one of my favourite things in the world to do so I though I was take a quick photo to document the occasion.

I got a hair cut which may not really be a big deal but I had not had my hair cut in more than a year so I was pretty scared even though I didn't need to be. IT'S JUST HAIR SILLY!

Lastly the best thing was wired banter with my best friend. I have no idea why she puts up with me.

Lemme know the best thing that happened to you this month!

Looking forward to May!

xx

Throwback Thursday #1 London

Hello Blogger friends,

Last October I was in London with my Mum for a little holiday. I have been to London before but this time was a little different. When I was younger I would go to Madame Tussauds, London eye and Buckingham Place. Now that I am a bit older we decided to do a bit more 'grown up' things like going shopping in Oxford Street, Covent Garden and the theatre. The main event of the whole trip was of course going to WARNER BROTHERS STUDIOS! I still can't believe that actually happened but I will get to that later.

I will split this post up into two posts as I appreciate that some people are not as big of a die hard Harry Potter fan as I am.

LONDON

This trip was a kind of birthday treat, having the opportunity to spend quality time with my Mum away from work and general busy lifeness.

As you can tell I was a bit excited about the trip? I could hardly contain myself! We hardly ever go on spontaneous (kind of) trips.

We got to sit in first class on the train ride. It was great but weird at the same time because some of the other people where very posh but never mind we got free food, so I can't really complain.

This was all I did for the five hour train journey. I love being a nerd.

On the day we arrived we went shopping in Harrods where we got some Christmas presents. Then we headed to Leicester Square (as seen above) where there was a film premier happening for 'One Chance' staring James Cordon. I don't think I have ever seen so many people in one place. I was also kind of shocked to find some people in London to not have manners! They will push past you and not say sorry which I found a bit sad coming from somewhere where it is seen as rude to not say 'thank you' when you get off the bus (obviously not judging ALL Londoners from this experience).

I persuaded my Mum to go to China Town which was interesting. The food and restaurants looked amazing. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to eat there but maybe next time. (forgot to take a photo of China Town because I am a terrible blogger)

Then we met my beautiful cousin. I miss her so much! I definitely wish I could see my family more often than I do at the moment. One day we will hangout.

We stumbled upon this gem. M&M world. Who would have known this was a thing? Does anyone else know this is a thing? Also Gold M&M's what?

I kind of wish my brother was there as I could tell that he would absolutely love it as I think M&M are his favourite sweet.

Kings Cross Station. I have not been here since they re-built it but it looks amazing. Our hotel was near here so we went though it everyday and got to know the woman in the mini M&S as I bought my essential Percy Pigs..... on most days.... *cough* everyday.

The next day we got up bright and early and did the Harry Potter thing (will get to that later). Then we went to Covent Garden. Did a bit more shopping and saw The Lion King. I enjoyed it immensely. It was a weird to begin with but once you got used to the singing-human-puppet-animals I really enjoyed it.

PART TWO
 Harry Potter Leavesden Studios Experience coming soon to a Blog near you.

Let me know what your favourite thing about London is. I wish I could visit there all the time. I don't think I will ever get bored of that place.

Hope you are having a lovely day!

Byee xx

Back from the Dead!

Hello Blogger Friends!

I'M BACK!

I am going to start off by being totally honest, I had ever intention on giving up on this Blog and letting it die (reference to title). However there have been quite a few things that have inspired me to come back lately so I decided to give it another bash! 

The last thing I posted on here was 8 months ago OOPS! I have wanted to come back on many occasions but is has been so long that it kind of turn into that friend that you haven't talked to in a long time and the longer you leave it the more awkward is gets. Does anyone else know what I am talking about with that? ANYWAY, so I decided enough is enough and it is time to rip off the band-aid and pluck up the courage to talk to that friend no matter what they think of you. Yes, I think I did use two metaphors in ones sentence.

On a more positive and maybe a less obscure note I have not been gone from the internet completely. I have had no problem what so ever keeping my Tumbr up to date ( I wonder why that is?). Also posted some videos to my YouTube channel and posted some photos on BlipFoto.

By far the most inspirational website I have been involved with is the HopeForum. This is really the reason I wanted to come back because it reminded my how awesome, intelligent, hilarious and supportive people on the internet can be and I wanted to make the most of it.

Friendship bracelets 

Anyway, I don't want to go on for too long or you will be bored to death. Here is an idea I had to add to the end of a post where I list the things I have been upto since the last post, like books I've read or movies I've seen.

Books Read

- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

- How I Live Now Meg Rosoff

-Seriously... I'm Kidding Ellen DeGeneres

Currently Reading

-The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Movies Seen

-The Book Thief

-Divergent

-One Day

Links

Tumbr

Youtube

Blip

Hopeful

Wish me luck byee xxx