Life After Uni

Oh HELLO THERE Sophie's blog. Haven't seen you in a while!

Once again, embarrassingly, I've abandoned my blog. It spends more time abandoned than actually being written on!
good news, I've graduated! woo woo! somehow,  the gods of degrees granted me a 2.1 which I personally couldn't have been happier about considering that was my goal when I started uni. I knew full well I was never going to be a 1st kind of gal, I loved Netflix and getting drunk too much.

So how is life now you may be wondering? (or not) but I'm going to tell you/future Sophie anyway.
Well I'm now living back home. Its so odd because me and my brother both moved out and we are both now living back home, although we rarely see each other. As much as I love my home and my family, I am soooooo ready to move out and do my own thing. It's hard when you've spent three years doing things your own way to then have to go home and be told what to do 24/7 again.

Turns out finding a graduate job was not all that easy. I mean I was prepared for the fact that I would probably leave uni and end up in a retail/hospitality job, but no one else was. My family all expected me to come out and get some fancy job when in reality that didn't happen. I think they're finally accepting that now, but I do still have to deal with the whole 'so hows the job hunt going?' questions at any family visit. The job hunt that stopped months ago because it's far too infuriating? yeah. I got sick and tired of reading 'four years experience in SEO' 'Two years prior experience in a similar role' 'Six billion years experience in blah blah blah'. It's just not fun.
I have in fact got a new job in a restaurant, the one place I said I could never work because I would be terrible at it! Turns out I'm not so bad. I work at Le Bistrot Pierre, a cute little french cuisine restaurant that recently opened. The best part about it was being sent to Torquay all inclusive for two weeks to 'train'. It was like a mini holiday working right on the sea front with the best people, I didn't want to leave! I work behind the bar which is rather fun, and I feel like I can now shock people with my extensive wine knowledge/cocktail making skills. Although I trained on bar and have been behind the bar for the first few months, I've dabbled in waitressing and am now going to train up properly in that too, so I can do both. The few times I've been left with the responsibilities of tables I haven't messed up entirely (I did forget to send one tables food, and got another tables sides wrong, but they were all really understanding!) and the fact that they still want to train me up properly shows I cant be that terrible at it!

So yeah! that's what I spend most of my time doing nowadays! One of my best friends is getting married and asked me to be bridesmaid! which I cannot wait for. It also involves a hen do in Magaluf which will be interesting/the best fun! My other best friend also got engaged! everyone is getting married and having kids and buying houses and I'm in the corner still single ASF.

The goal at the moment is to save enough money to move into a flat with Rhiannon my ultimate bestie. This could be the worst or the best idea, we are like an old married couple already!

THIRD YEAR IS NOT OK. NOPE.

Hello. This is a very serious post. A serious, rambly, stressy post.

I'm not going to tell you anything groundbreaking here, and I cant imagine how many other 20 something year old's have felt this exact way for years upon years. But oh my goodness third year is hard, and I need to vent.

So when you are in primary school, you get told 'Big school is hard!'
When you are in secondary school you get told 'Be prepared for sixth form/college, its hard!'
when you are in sixth form you get told 'you think this is hard?! wait for university!'
......They didn't lie!

As part of my course, it is required that we complete a dissertation. If you don't know (I am extremely jealous of anyone who doesn't know they exist) a dissertation is a rather lengthy piece of writing that spans the majority of your third year. For example, mine is a 10,000 word research project. You might be thinking 'You know Sophie, that isn't so bad!' no its not. But juggling that alongside four other modules that have assessments including 3000 word projects or exams is difficult.

It seems like assessments and university are just and endless list of grades and word counts. In reality, I have only a few months left. I've found myself battling between

'Oh my god no this cant end I don't have a plan what am I going to do next this is my lifeeeeeee'

and

'ugh I cannot wait for this to be over I never want to write another essay again give me strength lord'

This battle is a never ending one (so it seems!) and I'm sure I will write a post in another week about how much I love university so much and my dissertation is the best thing ever.

until then, stressed stereotypical student in need of help ASAP. or a new brain. If you have either, let me know!

Toodles!

P.s ON THE PLUS SIDE (There's always a positive in every situation) I have got myself some work experience! wooooot woot. It's with a lovely looking little company called JamJarPR, and as you've gathered, its a PR company in Cardiff. I'll be spending six days with them, and cant wait to get a taste of the industry. I think it will do me the wooooorld of good!

Fueling My Film Addiction

So recently, I've been purchasing a lot of DVD's. I actually own an un-natural amount of films, and the majority of them, I've definitely seen at least ten times. I don't know what it is, but for some reason if I've seen a film in the cinema that I really enjoyed, I feel obliged to own it. Obviously so I can watch it another billion times, I never get tired! (Peeeeerfect example, I'm currently watching The Notebook, the second copy I have owned as someone borrowed my first and never returned it. RIP to the #1 copy you used to be). I have around 70 dvds with me in uni, and around another 30 at home. Basically a small film library!
I thought I would share with you some of my favorites from my DVD case.




1. My all time favourite. I'm not even going to get into how much I love Harry Potter. I think that deserves a whole blog post to itself!

2. This film surprised me. I will be honest and say I only went to see it in the cinema because it involved Ryan Gosling. I was captivated by it!

3. Come the fuck on Bridget! I quote this movie almost as much as the regular girl quotes Mean Girls. As I always say, Bridget Jones is the best friend at making you feel better about your own life!

4. Yes. It was bound to crop up in this list somewhere! I saw this film three times in the cinema. I had to go see it the second time just to try and get over it, it was on my mind constantly! The book, the film, Its a right heartbreaker!

5. Now for  a bit of cheese. Who doesn't love naughties Hilary Duff?! I was obsessed with this film when i was younger, and became adamant i was going to attend a music conservatoire. You literally cant get more cheesy.

6. Another classic. Ewan McGregor. Singing Come What May. Need I say more?!

7. I cant pinpoint what it is I love about this film, It genuinely is such a wonderfully made film, with a great moral behind it. 'You is kiiiiiind, you is smart, you is important' Oh and Emma Stone's hair is on point.

8. Shocker. I really love this film. That's about it.

9. This was an accidental find. It was randomly in my house, so I watched it and fell in love with the adorable story and happy ending. Ultimate chick flick!

10. Disney. If I listed all my favourite Disney films I would be here for quite a while! I'm a Disney girl through and through, and I doubt that will ever change.

I could go on for an eternity, but I will save you that, I think 10 is enough! Just a little insight into my favourite films!


Toodleoo Lovlies!

Wait, Who Are You Again?

I STILL EXIST!......... It has been over a year since I last wrote a blog post, which is horrifically bad, and for that i apologize! 

I started this blog when i was 18, with the idea that it would be a here and there kind of thing, where I post when I've got something interesting to say. Two, nearly three years on and it turns out that hasn't really been working out for me. I keep forgetting then remembering this exists and posting then forgetting and not really keeping up to date with this. 

Recently, what with doing my dissertation, I've started to vlog on YouTube and have really been trying to create a brand for myself across social media platforms. In my last post here, I talked about not knowing what direction I wanted to take after university. Well good news folks! I kind of think I want to go into social media management and public relations professionally. eeeep! I don't know if any of you will have noticed, but I've had a bit of a re-vamp, thanks to my lovely flatmate Lauren (there was a lot of frustration, YouTube banners are harder to make than they look!) but now all of my social media's have the same look, which makes me insanely happy. 

I feel like you need a little update on my life, so here goes! 

I'm now in my third year of university, don't even ask me where the time has gone! I've only got about four months left then I'm done. Capiche. It makes me want to do a little wee of scary excitedness. That is now a thing. 

I now live with four other girls, still in student halls. Because you know, I basically just want to pretend to be a fresher whilst I still can. I absolutely love my living situation at the moment. This is a massive thing for me, as my first year of university was, to be honest, a bit naff living wise. I didn't live with the nicest of people, and felt very unsafe a lot of the time. Second year got a bit better, but I still spent the majority of my time alone, in my room. making no noise.......and pretending I don't exist (10 points if you get the reference). The girls I live with have always been around, I lived with Sian first year, and I know Jessie from home and she lived with Kat and Loz first year, opposite me and Sian. Second year people just kind of went off and did their own thing, It took us a while to all come together basically. Our flat is just my favourite thing and I never ever want it to end. We keep bringing up the fact that we have to actually leave this flat, and then saying 'No no, Lets not talk about it!' 

(L-R) Kat, Me, Sian, Loz and Jessie

I dont know if I've ever mentioned it on here, but I still work at Deichmann Shoes. I've been there for a year and five months now (what? I mean, I'm totally not counting or anything). I'm not going to lie, it's not the best job in the world. Its retail. So basically it can be a nightmare the majority of the time. I just keep telling myself 'I'm working here to get out of here'. Its basically so I can fund myself to get through uni living. 

I don't really have a great deal more to say! life is good, finally. As much as I complain, (Prince Charming has got a bit lost I think) This has to be the best year of uni so far. I cannot wait for those precious few weeks at the end of uni, when we still have halls to live in, and spend our days lying on the grass in Bute park or hoping on the train on a little adventure. Its going to be great!

Toodleoo lovelies! 

Little Fish, Big Pond.

hold your horses, I am writing a blog post! don't all rush to read at once now ;) 

I am a busy gal, having started my second year at uni. (Prepare for the cliché of the century)....it feels like yesterday that I was doing a little do do worrying about starting uni. Here I now am, half way through my second year and to be honest, I'm feeling overwhelmed. Big time. 

I am going to put it out there, I have no idea what I want to be when I grow up, which is slightly worrying as its coming round a lot faster than I expected and prepared for. I know I want to work in the media, which makes my Media Culture and Journalism course rather handy. But aside from that I'm a little lost.

hence the title. I am definitely a little fish in a rather big shark infested pond. 

The industry I plan to go into is growing faster than ever, and its getting tougher and tougher to be 'in'. Help!
I will admit, I am definitely to blame for my lack of direction, as I've always had the attitude of 'I'll take what I can get'. Which is fine, but it means that I spend a lot of time worrying about where I'm going to end up and what I'm going to end up doing. Who knows! (definitely not me clearly!)

So the point I'm really trying to make with this is that I think it is ok to go with the flow, but at some point decisions are going to have to be made, and no one else can make them for you! 

Romance is Dead.

 WARNING: rambly, ranty, notquitesurewhereimgoingwiththis post ahead! I just thought this would be a good topic to discuss seen as I have rather strong opinions on the matter!

Photo from tumblr

Romance. The highly sought after mystery that every female (and male? pffft don't be stupid Sophie) Desires. 

Yet, its well known that in this day and age romance is dead. This saddens me greatly, as I'm the type of girl who expects life to be pretty similar to a Disney princess movie and am currently (and have been for the past.....19 years) waiting for Mr prince charming to appear. If your reading this charming honey, now would be a brilliant time, just saying! People generally tend to laugh at me when I inform them of this but to me, its a perfectly reasonable notion! 

I long to live in the days where males and females 'courted' each other and walked round gardens in beautiful fancy dresses, and he proposed to you after two weeks. It just sounds so romantic! Nowadays it consists of a trip to the cinema where you sit and watch a film in silence for three hours...I don't get it. How can you get to know someone if you sit in silence?! I've been on cinema dates, and not one of them has gone very well at all! (think awkward, as we only had about 5 minutes to actually talk and say hi etc before we had to sit next to each other awkwardly. yeah. awkward) so the thought of someone asking me to go now makes me run a mile or so! 

I'm also definitely not into the whole idea of 'going out with someone just to say I have a boyfriend', yet another thing that baffles me. I definitely don't want to pretend to like someone, I'm quite happy to admit id rather stay in with a cup of tea and a good book. These people who go in and out and in and out (cheeky!) of relationships on Facebook, WHY. just stop! it doesn't make you look good at all, in fact its rather annoying!

so as you can tell, overall I'm a typical hopeless romantic and plan on staying that way (call me naive) until prince charming arrives. Any day now! 

The Perks Of Being A Singleton

Yes, it may (or most probably wont) surprise you to know that I'm single. A single pringle. A free agent. Available. Between relationships. However you want to put it, and I shan't lie, I've never had a 'proper' relationship. By this I mean I haven't been in a relationship since those 13 year old, lasting two weeks, never really speak to each other relationships. 

Yes I will admit I get those moments, as every girl does, where I think 'I just want someone to cuddle and eat crap and watch films and be stupid and do nothing in particular with' 

But then I think of all the positives of beings single. Ok so there aren't many, but they are pretty major for me. And are things I do not want to compromise on for any male. 

1. Freedom - This is a biggie for me. I am the type of person who cant stand being told what to do. I like doing what I want, when I want. This probably stems from having protective parents (I'm not complaining about that) and now that I've gone to university I've gotten used to doing things on my terms. I don't want some man swanning in and bossing me about thank you very much. not now I've just gained freedom. 

2.Hairy Legs - yep. Admit it. when you're single your legs grow a lovely winter coat.....all year round. Well with no one to impress, what's the point. you can be less high maintenance with your body when you're single. You can have days where you sit with no make-up and eat a cake or two....or 5. And that's fine. And its just the way I like things. 

3. Pointless Money Wasting Days - by this I mainly mean Valentines Day. to quote Miranda 'I don't know who Saint Valentines was but I hope he died single and surrounded by couples'. I couldn't have said it better myself. Yes, when the day rolls round I do get a bit depressed and think 'oh I wish someone would by me pointless cards and chocolate and materialistic things to show me how much they love me' but then I think 'meh, at least I don't have to spend stupid amounts of money I don't have on such pointless things and I can go and buy myself a pair of beautiful new shoes instead' now whose being materialistic! 

4. Starfishing - I do love my bed. Possibly more than I should. And the thought of sharing it with another human being just.....nu-uh. I can have the Duvet all to myself and sausage roll and foot fold to my hearts content (points for my duvet terms). Another plus to this is not having someone witness me waking up looking like a dogs arse. I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

I'm pretty sure I could ramble on for quite a while longer on this topic, but I will refrain as I'm sure you're probably thinking 'there is a possibility this girl could be insane' 

But remember. There are positives to being single, you just have to look at it with a 'Miss Independant' P.O.V