Infinity Dreams Award ~ Pen & Key

So the rules of this award are:

1) Thank and follow the blog that has nominated you

2) Tell us 11 facts about yourself

3) Answer the questions that were set for you

4) Nominate 11 bloggers and set questions for them

So thank you to Gee of This Teenage Blogger, and I'll give you a few facts now.

11 Facts about Me!

1 ~ I was nicknamed Spike as a baby because of my hair

2 ~I love having my achievements and things on display

3 ~ I love Top Gear

4 ~ Whenever I'm book browsing on the kindle store, I look up 'Free YA Paranormal' or something of the like.

5 ~ Although the history we're taught in school is interesting, I'd love to learn about something pre-20th Century (that does not include Hitler's date of birth)

6 ~ My favourite Disney movies are Mulan and Beauty and the Beast

7 ~ My natural hair is messy curls (more of a curse than you realise)

8 ~ My favourite colour is either blue (cerulean or navy blue) or purple (violet or mulberry)

9 ~ I have a habit of picking at hangnails

10 ~ I've recently become obsessed with Kitchen Nightmares

11 ~ I went to a gig of my friend's band on Friday (they were amazing)

Now to Answer Georgia's Questions!

1:  What would you tell your younger self if you could?

You're amazing, the people who annoy you now, they aren't even going to be there soon. The people who look down on you for your appearance and the fact that you're going through puberty, they'll be replaced by people who remind you all the time that you're beautiful and amazing, and you are where you are now, and you always will be. Keep shooting for the stars Eve, because that's where your friends are going to be.

2: If you could have any pet you wanted, what would it be and what would you call it?

I'd have another dog (husky, because they're awesome) and I'd probably name it Silver or something to match its' coat.

3: Who is your favourite blogger?

Aaaah, no fair. Maya's blog is awesome (if she'd update more often!), same with Lucy's, but outside of my friends, I'll probably say Alice May,  because she posts such good content.

4: What or whom inspired you to start a blog?

Inspirations are probably Maya, seeing as she started her blog just a few weeks before I did, and I though it was going to be cool, a year and a bit later, I still think that.

5: Who inspires you in general?

Again, Maya, because she's very inspirational in general. Probably my family too, because they're each of them so successful in their own work and lives. Also Emma Watson, because, do I need a reason?

6: What's your favourite pastime?

Internetting, but if I'm not on the internet, I'll generally read on my phone, on my kindle, or an actual book!

7: What bit of makeup is your favourite?

Probably eye makeup, because I love my eyes and love them standing out.

8: What is your favourite TV show?

As I said already, I'm now obsessed with Kitchen Nightmares, and I've also been watching the series Grimm, which I'm about 8 episodes into or something.

9: If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

EEEK, ummmm, I'd love to go to Italy on a sight-seeing trip.

10: What are your goals this year?

~ Get good grades for my coursework

~ Focus on myself

~ Sod the drama

~ Take as many opportunities as I can

~ Do a bit more than laze around in my room

11: What would you say to inspire or motivate someone?

Depends on what I'm motivating them to do. I'd say:

Hey, you've come this far. Just think how far you can go. I've watched you this whole journey, and I'll be sticking with you until you've reached your destination. Remember I support you, and I'm here always.

Bloggers I Tag!

Archie @ A Bundle of Contradictions

Maya @ ohemgeeitsmaya

Jake @ Hairychimp123

Jack @ music and more

Lara @ Dorama Minaoshi

Kirsty @ missapplecrumbles

Lucy @ OpenLetters

M @ The Life of Little Me

Apoorva @ That Weird Girl Official

Lucy @ Lost in the Lipstick Aisle

Tasha @ xBeYOUtifulx

My Questions for You Lucky People Are!

1) What do you like about blog awards?

2) Name one destination you want to visit, and one you don't.

3) If you've already decided your future job, what's your backup? If you haven't, what's your dream job?

4) What are you never without? (phone is not allowed)

5) What is your favourite film or film series?

6) Who is your favourite author, an what is your favourite book of theirs?

7) What is your prized possession?

8) What toppings are on your ideal pizza?

9) What is your favourite blog post of yours?

10) Pick a youtuber to live with (not romantically)

11) Age old question, which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Pen & Key Rants ~ Who do You Think You Are?

In this episode, I talk about people who feel entitled to help. And if you know who I'm talking about in this post, I swear to god, do not mention it to them.

* * * * *

So, on Wednesday, we were covering straight line graphs in maths. Maths first thing on a morning is bad enough, but add trying to get your head around lines and y=mc whatever and you honestly want to just crawl all the way back to bed. Luckily for me, I've had a natural mathematics ability that has yet to let me down, so I got through it pretty quick.

Anyway, my friends behind me were asking how big we had to make the graph for the extension questions. I didn't know, so I couldn't offer any help (as you have probably gleaned already, if I don't know something for sure, I don't claim liability, or just won't offer an answer). However, when Maya didn't know how to answer a question, I moved over to help her answer it (and I really wanted to get away from the boy I sit next to, who had been annoying me to no end). So when I moved next to Maya, the ones who asked about the graph, who sit behind her, were outraged. 

Now I'm sorry, but I'm not the best authority to tell you how to draw a graph, but I can help you work out how to plot it.

So, let's fast forward to next lesson. IT, spreadsheets, eh. I return to my seat at the end of the lesson to have a pen chucked at me. My pen, as it turns out. My pen, with the hook on the cap snapped off.

Apparently, it was payback for not helping him in IT.

HOW BLOODY ENTITLED CAN YOU BE? Ever heard of an eye for an eye? If I ask you for help, refuse it to me, don't let me copy off your homework when I forgot to do it. You, sir, have legitimately damaged my property. If we weren't in school and it weren't a pen, I could sue you. The way I was feeling, I would have.

So yeah self-entitled people, be less dick-ish around me, or a slap may be heading towards you face.

Happy Friday, Eve <3

January Favourites 2015 ~ Pen and Key

So, today, I'm going to try out a new thing. I know Maya's going to be filming a favourites video soon enough, but I want to try it and see how well I can go about it.

Body Shop ~ Lip Butter and Body Butter ~ Strawberry

As I mentioned in my anniversary post, I want to focus more on me this year, mentally and physically. I've loved the Body Shop strawberry range ever since I first found out about it, and even more so in the last few months. The lip butter has been especially helpful after my realisation that I need to take better care of my lips, because they get chapped so easily, I swear. Also, who doesn't love the smell of strawberry?

Avon Nailwear Pro+ Top Coat ~ Destination Peach

I've been wearing this matte top coat to school for the last few weeks. As you can see, I've already used a good amount of the stuff. It has a really pretty sheen to it, even when you wear it over a clear coat of polish (how I've been wearing it for the last few weeks).

Classics Pump it Up Nail Polish Remover

I swear, I will stop with beauty-related things in a second. I don't know if I've told anyone this, but my dog has been sleeping on my bed a lot recently, and a couple of weeks ago, at about 5 in the morning for a few days, he would get up and start wandering around my bed. It got so annoying. Then, one day, I discovered my bottle of nail polish remover on the floor, top off, nearly empty. Thankfully, my laptop was under my pillow that night, or I may have had a bit of a problem. However, because of that, I now have a stained table leg and wallpaper. After that, we decided to try a different approach. Rather than a lid that you can forget to screw on properly, this bottle clicks in place so that it can't be pumped to release remover.

Law of the Lycans Series - Nicky Charles

As well as the Maze Runner Series, I've been reading the Law of the Lycans series on my kindle and my phone (my battery hates me for downloading the kindle app). When it comes to detailed universes, even though this is set in modern America, this series is up there. It includes so many details about Lycan lore, I'd love an entire book just explaining it all. I also love how each of the stories are intertwined. Like in the prequel, Bonded, Damien, Ryne and Kane are introduced as small characters, who later go on to have their own books (Betrayed, The Keeping and The Mating, respectively). It's a really cool detail I'll have to think about using. (Note: these books do get explicit at points, so if you don't want to read something like that, don't even bother, I don't want to be blamed)

BiC Brite Liners

Now I'm halfway through year 10, GCSEs are a whole lot more real. So, I'm taking a whole lot more care and attention for my lessons, as a lot of it is course work that leads up to controlled assessments or information I'm going to have to study for my exams. In order to do this, my work has become a lot more colourful. I myself am a visual learner, so having things that are bright and colourful really help me to notice things. We found these in Lidl a while back, and we found them again the other day, so I may have a second set as a back up :)

* * * * *

That's all the favourites I can think of, really. I'll try and keep this going, I enjoyed talking about products I like. Maybe I'll start reviews or something like that. I swear, I will try and get a post about braces up sometime, seeing as I've had them for a year. Have a good weekend everybody, Eve <3

Writing Wednesday #4 ~ Salt

Worth Your Salt

The hand landed across his ear, the clap of flesh on flesh ringing through the kitchen. The shattered plate lay at his feet, ribbons of blood running from the lacerations the ceramic had caused.

"You clot!" screeched the housekeeper. "How do you expect to be worth your salt if you can't even keep a dish complete?" Her face had become ruddy as she scolded the boy.

"I'm sorry, Margaret." He forced his tears back, knowing he'd get nowhere with them when it came to the strict housekeeper.

"I know you don't want to be here, Merlin. How many of us do you think wants to be here? But this is your lot, and you might as well make the most of it!" Sighing in frustration, she went back to work, leaving the boy in the corner, clutching his throbbing ear.

It hadn't always been this bad, he mused, swiping salt water from his eyes. Back when Arthur had been the king, things had been fine. Merlin had enjoyed work, even if he did have to clean up after His Royal Pain. He had become a friend of sorts to the crown prince, then an adviser to a king, then...

Well, now with Morgana firmly on the throne, Merlin couldn't help but feel alone. He'd lost his best friend, and now he had nothing; no one to turn to, no one to insult, no one to laugh at him.

Oh, he'd tried to make friends among the staff, how he'd tried. No one had wanted to know him when he was the king's servant, something about him supposedly reporting servant's gossip back to the royal. Now, everyone had spent so long ignoring him, it was a part of life to leave the boy alone.

Where are you now, Arthur, Merlin mused, resigning himself back to work.

* * * * *

I feel like my first Writing Wednesday for this prompt was great, and now it's sort of gone downhill, and I'm only on number 4.

Side note, I hit 2000 pageviews this week, which is amazing! Thank you to everyone who looks at my blog. Maybe this time next year I'll have hit 5000, but I'll stay happy with what I've got now.

Have a great week everybody, Eve <3

Things I Like About Me Tag

Before I actually start this, I'd like to say thank you to Layla for nominating me for this, you're making me think for once, and secondly, in no way am I trying to brag here. I can certainly list things I like about myself easily, but I can also easily list things I don't particularly like about myself too, but we'll be saving that talk for later.

* * * * *

Physically, I'd say I most like my eyes. I like that they're not on solid colour and that they can change depending on certain things. I like that a little bit of eyeliner can make them seem bolder and maybe even darker. I don't know, but if you asked for my defining feature, it would be my eyes.

I like my hair too, I suppose. Some days it annoys me to high hell, bu that's the fun of natural hair. The fact that it's long and can be done in so many different ways is amazing to me, and I'm still learning different styles I can do.

Ask me about my character, and I'll probably be able to describe the ones on the page better. If you asked for a definitive 'type' you'd have to let me get back to you, in a few years when I maybe have a definitive 'type'.

The Eve behind the screen, she's book-ish, laughs too loud, and isn't quick to make decisions.

FOUND ONE

I like the fact that I'm stubborn. Weird, I know, but I know that I can stand my ground. Yes, I may stutter when it comes to public speaking, but I know what I'm trying to say, and it may take a few tries, but I'll get my point across. I consider things before I say them, and just like the way I take ages to write a sentence whilst wanting to get it right, I will backtrack whilst speaking because I think I've worded it wrong.

I like that I've become a person that people enjoy being around; whether it's a teacher who defines me as a pleasure to teach, or a friend who, no matter my weird actions and strange personality, still somehow sticks by me (shoutout to you guys, you know who you are).

* * * * *

I can't really think of anymore right now. I'm rubbish, I know, but part of me, I think is still stuck in ten year old insecurities. Hopefully this year will be the year to work on those, if not beat them. Maybe I'll tell you about them, maybe I won't.

Quick little thing today, enjoy your week, see you on Wednesday,

Eve <3

A Little Rant

Sorry about the lack of Writing Wednesday; we've already established that I'm crap at this, so let's just leave it at that!

Today, I'd like to talk about logic, or rather a lack of.

You see, at my school, we have planners that we're given in September to be used from then until July (or in my case, until March, at best). These planners, to make sure you're using them right, have to be signed weekly by both your parents and your pastoral tutor.

For the last three years, across two different pastoral tutors, we've taken our planners home on a weekend, brought them in signed by our parents so that, on a Monday morning, or Tuesday at the latest, they would be signed. This is done to acknowledge that the parents have seen what we've been doing over the week, any praise or criticism from teachers, and leave their own notes for our teachers in school. Usually, though, I just shove my planner under my parents' noses and get them to sign it.

Imagine our outrage then, when on Wednesday afternoon, during the 20 minutes of 'enrichment' time we have every day, our two pastoral tutors suggest something so illogical that a class of around 25 students, who couldn't band together to save one of our lives, is up in arms for a good 15 minutes.

They suggested that we go home on a Thursday night, have our planners signed for the Friday!

What is this madness?

It made no sense to any of us. Why have a planner signed for an incomplete week? It's mad to us, as you can see from us all arguing over it. Apparently in our female teacher's last school, 'they used to get theirs signed for Fridays'. Good for them! It makes no sense to us, though, so of course we're going to argue against it. Then our proper form tutor came out with 'Things change, that's life.'

Majority over Authority, I say. This is a democratic country, so surely, we should be able to argue against it and have our voices heard?

The most ridiculous part? As well as the afternoon enrichment everyday, we have ten minutes every morning, which are assigned PREP times. PREP, stands for Planners, Registration, Equipment and Presentation (uniforms). And what do our form tutors use our PREP time for? I would tell you if I knew, but all I see them do is chat; some days we're not even marked in.

So, why don't they just use the time we have every morning to sign our planners? 'Ten minutes doesn't give us enough time'. I'm calling bull! Our pregnant form tutor managed it last year in those ten minutes, so I'm sure you can.

What about you? Is there anything about your teachers that drive you mad, or is it just England?

I'm currently sat waiting for my parent's evening in school. It's not until half 6, but as I explain to everyone, it's easier for me to be in school than for my dad to leave work, pick me up from school, drop me off, only to leave work again 3 hours later when he could be working for the 30 minutes he spends getting me at 3 o'clock. So I'm sat in an IT room wondering which websites I currently have access to.

Eve out <3

The Handwriting Tag

Yesterday's post was kinda short, so I'm throwing in a random tag just to make up for that. Thankfully it isn't as long as last year's TMI Tag, but it did take a while.
Would this be counted as truthful? I don't know if my English teacher would say so. This is my neat handwriting; the one I use in my history book after writing out my notes in my horrendous handwriting in class. I have literally resorted to writing notes on the front of my geography assessments to apologise for the monstrosity that is me trying to answer all the questions in the time I have (apparently my test was the most amusing in the class because of it) so I think I may add a page of my notes to the end of this as a comparison just to show you.
I've kind of jumbled the questions together, because there were two different sets I came across.

And here are those History examples I promised, because I cannot let you believe that this ^ is my true handwriting! All of these examples are waiting to be copied into my actual History coursebook. My method for notes is write as legibly as I can on lined paper in class (my teacher changes slides so quickly) then copy it out in my spare time with colours to highlight certain points of my notes (that's why, in the education page, some parts are underlined)

Do you see how small this is?

So, there you go! Just a little tag to break up all the stress and stuff I've been posting recently.

I would now like to say again, I am tagging!

Maya of ohemgeeitsmaya

Jake of Hairychimp123's blog

Jack of music and more

Layla of Laylatheawesome

Lucy of Open Letters

You have been tagged! 

Have a nice weekend everyone, Eve <3