Three Life Lessons from Mum

I have recently finished university and I find myself reflecting on my life so far, to see what I can learn as I head into the world of full time work. I find myself seeing how much I have learned and grown in particular during my degree and the ones I learned the most from are my parents.
I thought I would write it each in a letter to the said person and make it into a series about life lessons.

Dear Mum,
I have always known that you are my best friend in this world, but I think we never realised how much you have taught about life. I think the first and most important lesson is to never ever give up, because there is always a way to muddle through the madness of life. I don't know whether this stems from the fact that you and Pops did not give up on me as a child when you were told I had tough times ahead. Or the fact that I can be a cow some of the time and take it all on the chin. This is the greatest lesson you have ever taught me because it has developed ambition to go into this job search with a mind full of ideas looking for the right opportunity.

I think the second one I think I am still learning to not take criticism or what people think to heart. It is a tough one that I hope will be more consistent as I grow older and meet more people, but every time I do it reminds me that as corny as sounds that friends come and go but family is always there regardless. I think that it has made me more willing in admitting I occasionally need help to get back on top, regardless of the amount of times I refuse help from you sorting through my possessions. I t has made realise criticism can be turned into a strength.

The third is becoming easiest and that is trust to my gut and my instinct, especially when yours is almost always right. If yours can, why can't mine?

Thank you for all the life pointers or lessons so far and those to come.

Love Kat xx

My Every Day Survival Kit

I thought it would be interesting to show you what I use on a regular basis and never really leaves my side throughout the day. My survival kit is mainly the stuff I use for my blogging and writing.

iPad 
I don't really watch TV on an actual television, it tends to be on my ipad, because it is portable and I can watch it from anywhere I am working or relaxing. I also use a variety of apps to post and schedule my social media posts. It is also the main place I access my emails. I also edit my videos on this with iMovie

iPhone 
This is a lifeline. I tend to use it to take photos for my blog and create my youtube videos until I save up for a new camera. It also my social media scheduler and checker on the go.

Pens 
A staple for every writer. I always carry at least one.

Notebooks
It is the best way to get everything in my brain down and draft some earlydrafts dependent on my mood.

Laptop 
I use this to do the bulk of my final drafts of writing projects and blog posts

Blogging Diary Folder
A recent saviour I am using this to schedule and improve my posts.

Diary
All appointments, meetings and interviews safe in one place but also to my iPhone and iPad.  

Juice 
My big bottle of juice to keep me hydrated.

What is your day to day survival kit? 

12 facts about Colne - My Home Town

I thought I would let you in on 20 facts about the place I call home - Colne.

1. It has some fantastic views and walks. 

One of the photos taken on my walk with my baby girls and my mamma. 

2. It has some of the best choirs in the area, even if I am bias because I am in one of them - Pendle Youth Choir
3. The famous Olympic cyclist Steven Burke is from Colne
4. Wallace Hartley, band leader on board the RMS Titanic was brought up and lived in Colne. He has a memorial near the Library and is buried in the town's cemetery.
5. It is about the only town I know that has a Sainsbury's, ASDA, Tesco's, Aldi and soon to be built Lidl. We will never run out of food in the apocalypse.
6. There are several famous actors from the town including Natalie Gumede (Strictly Come Dancing, Coronation Street) Jessica Forrest (Hollyoaks) and Hannah Hobley (Benidorm).
7.  It has even been visited by Pasha Kovalev when he danced at the Muni.
8.  It has a fountain of good coffee shops.
9.  It has plenty of pubs
10. It has a theatre called the Municipal Hall where I have performed several times.
11. Colne is approximately 5 miles east of Pendle Hill, arguably the most well-known local landmark. It is because of this that Colne is associated with the Pendle witches, many local people walk up the hill, but particularly at Halloween. 
12.  It is my home where my family is - the most important place in my life. 

My Summer Wish List

As most of you know I am finalising my dissertation. I have been thinking about things I would like to do over the summer.
I thought I would share them with my lovely readers.

1. Read, read and read all the books I have been meaning to read for so long.
2. Spend time with family - t is how memories are created
3. Get super healthy and fit because I want my energy back
4. Plenty of shopping - find me a girl who does not love a bit of shopping
5. A lot of singing as I finish my time with Pendle Youth Choir
6. CCDS - a little work always does the heart and mind good
7. Write, Write and more writing
8. Start my YouTube channel properly.
9. Blogging as always
10. Sleep Sleep - the thing that has been lacking in the last few weeks

What are you planning to do this summer? I would love to know what you are going to be up to in your summer.

A Musical Message

It is dissertation week this week. So, I thought I would share one of my favourite songs this month. It is called Beautiful Child by Pauley Perrette best known for her role in NCIS as forensic scientist Abby Sciuto. She wrote this song in support of the LGBT community. I like this song not only because of the fact that it supports equality. It also has a community spirit which I love in music, because of my belief that music can bring us together.

Have a listen as I go back to my dissertation.

Motivation - The Student's Demon.

As you read in my last post I am currently finishing up my degree. I thought I would share how I stay motivated in this pressured time.

1. This is the most important one. TALK! - whether it is to yourself, your mum, your dad, your room mate. If you are worried about something, share the problem because if you don't share it. I t will consume you and you won't want to do anything especially assignments. 

2. EAT! - I suppose it is the most important one instead of Number 1 but everyone needs the fuel to produce the kick ass masterpiece. So don't forget to eat and it will help you keep your eyeballs on the task. 

3. SLEEP! - Students are suppose to have Phds in this topic. It help you find interest and motivation in your day. 

4. FIND YOUR ZONE! - Seriously whichever place sets your creative juices going. Set up camp and don't move. It can be anywhere from your bed to your desk to your home so your mum can sort the meltdowns out. It needs to be perfect, if it isn't right find another. I still haven't find mine. I work wherever I drop. 

5. FIND YOUR NICHE! - whether it is many drafts for your coursework or practising question after question, mind maps. Find your best way to study and stick to it. You study however you want. 

These are my motivators to get me to the end of my degree. 

The Final Month - The Final Goals before I graduate university.

I bet you have noticed that I have not been blogging for the last month or so, I have not quit it is just I have been busy with my university studies and other projects which I promise I will share with you when I am ready too. I promise you they will be worth the wait.

I thought I would write a post about my goals in this final month. It might help you in learning a little about prioritisation of tasks, because the balancing act isn't easy.

1. Finish my sociology assignment  - which will be done by the time some of you see this post as it is due on 21st. 
2. Finish my dissertation - the beast I have been working on for the last year. I a nearly there I have really enjoyed writing this, I hope to share it with you one day. 
3. Write the history exam question - history, economics and education not as boring as it sounds. It is not I promise 
4. Write the sociology exam question - comparative yawn 
5. Read SEN Exam prep - ethics; time to question life. To be or not to be? 
6. Do the SEN Exam 
7. Celebrate finishing uni 
8. Keep on top of my blogs and other projects 
9. Get a job. 
10. Try to not eat my body weight in junk food.