Dissertation Prep - Week 2/3

Over these past two weeks I have been reading Enid Blyton's " The Magical Adventures of the Wishing-Chair" to help progress my understanding of Children's fairy tales. This classic story was a favourite of mine growing up. Having not read it for a while I decided to delve back into my childhood and re read it.

I had forgotten how vast Blyton's imagination was. The story drops two children, Mollie and Peter into different worlds whilst they undertake an adventure together alongside a pixie named Chinky. Blyton uses detailed descriptions of each character that the children meet along their journey and this is something I definitely want to do in my own.

Although the language is a little out dated having been written in 1937, the story still holds meaning and a sense of value within the fantasy genre. We get to escape the real world and meet various creatures; from goblins to witches to magicians. Although the children have a lot of fun riding on the wishing chair they do come to a halt when they are greeted by wizards and giants. The children team up with Chinky, creating a sort of "dream team" in order to get out of these awful situations. Such as when they are trapped in the castle with 'The Snoogle' near the end of the story. 

After having just recently finished the book I have taken inspiration from the intricate detail used to describe each character as an individual. I also like the idea of everything coming to life (the chair) and how an object plays a big part in the story. The children are on an ongoing adventure and I like that. I like how both the children and the reader don't know where they are going to end up. Whether that be an open country field or a castle with an endless amount of rooms. 

The idea of morphing is interesting to me as within the fairy tale genre anything goes and I want to create characters which are memorable to the reader and ones no one has ever heard of before. Blyton also brings in an 'old wife' tale' when Mollie and Peter's neighbour visits. They told their neighbour that if he pulls a face and the wind changes his face will stay like that - and of course the wind changed and it came true. I enjoyed this element of the story as it is something that parents would say to their children and obviously it would never happen. Yet by Blyton including this it made the fairy tale come alive as she has intertwined Mollie and Peter's 'fantasy world' (with the wishing chair) and the real world (with their family and friends). 

In my previous post I discussed how every traditional children's fairy tale has a "loyal" character. Within this story the loyal character is most definitely the wishing chair. The chair saves the children when it is most needed and always comes back to save them no matter what. I think this is important even within an adult fairy tale (which I want to attempt) as a story can be as dark as you like but an element of hope must always be there. I believe this because every story needs a little bit of hope to guide the protagonist through their journey. 

I am now moving on to adult fairy tales and I am currently reading Briar Rose by Jane Yolen- so far so good. 

Sian X.

Starting the dissertation / WEEK ONE.

Throughout the next 11 months of tears, stress and a lot of comfort food I want to write a timeline of my thoughts and ideas and see how these change throughout the year. I feel this will benefit me to see how both my ideas and writing have developed in order to help me gain the best possible grade.

It is the first week of June and also my first week back at home for summer. To start of my dissertation research I have begun to read around the subject I am focusing on. As I am undertaking a Creative Writing dissertation I have decided to write a fairy tale and at the moment I am thinking of writing a contemporary fairy tale which challenges the traditional.

Yesterday I read four traditional children's fairy tales including; Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel.

Whilst reading I was noting down all the features of the main characters such as the villain, the 'loyal' character, the princess and the saviour (usually the prince). I also took note of any symbols such as the apple in Snow White and the spinning wheel in Sleeping Beauty.

Reading these fairy tales has helped me form a basis of the traditional fairy tale and the important elements of them.

Over the weekend I hope to continue reading more traditional children's fairy tales in hope of some inspiration before moving on to adult fairy tales where I hope to find more detail and gore.

Praying I stick to this!

Sian. X 

The end of Second Year

 I have finished my exams and my room is beginning to become more and more empty as I pack up to go home for summer. This year has gone so quickly and surprisingly a lot quicker than first year. Although second year comes with a lot more work than first it was still a lot of fun!

Moving into a new house was exciting especially with 7 other people, it was just like halls all over again but a tad quieter. My course got a lot more interesting as I was allowed to pick 3 units that I wanted to take on for a whole year and was not limited to just compulsory units. Although I feel I could have done a little better than expected I still surprised myself with some of the marks I received.

The social aspect of Second year was still at a high yet I was more strict with myself when it came to important deadlines and of course exam season. I had two exams and hopefully they were the last exams I will ever sit! 

Since I have finished Second year all I can say is that my time has been filled with friends, food and a lot of alcohol. It's like a throwback to first year where all we did was go out and get drunk. This weekend is my last weekend in Portsmouth before I go home, I am very sad but also quite excited to go home and be in the comfort of a CLEAN house with lots of food that I haven't bought! 

Summer holds a few exciting things for me including a months work experience at a Publishing company in London, a weekend away in Dublin and Bestival with a few close friends in September. 

Although sad to be moving on to my last year at University I can thankfully say that this year/term has been a good one. I have grown closer to friends (3 of them who I will be living with next year) and met so many new people. I have explored Portsmouth a lot more by making use of the beach which is just round the corner of my home to eating at so many unique cafe's and restaurants that Portsmouth has to offer. 

So here's to third year! (and to a lot tears and stress)

Sian. X

A little catchup

I have been back at Uni for three months now, CRAZY. The course is going well and I find myself living in the library and commuting back and forth from the kitchen to my bedroom hoarding chocolate caramel digestives (my true love) to fuel my brain. Being an English lit and Creative Writing student I am constantly writing, developing and expanding my ideas. Coursework deadlines are arising and my stress levels are too, with it now being 2nd year and the year that sadly counts (forever wishing I was a fresher) I feel I am more organised and ahead of work, I hope.

 I am enjoying 2nd year so so so much. Living in a house is a lot nicer than halls, I adore my room it's like my own little safe haven. Living on the top floor allows me to escape from the hectic house as living with 7 other people it can get a little loud but still a lot of fun at the same time. 

My social life is still very much alive despite all the work. Although I do need to cut down on eating out but it is so hard when I am now surrounded by so many nice antique cafe's and restaurants.

   

Home Cafe/Albert Road

                   

2nd year is looking promising having been accepted to write for the University Student blog (http://studentblog.port.ac.uk/) where I hope to share my thoughts and what I am up to. I am so happy I have joined a society/group this year as I really wanted to be apart of something which I enjoy and would also look good on my CV. I also joined the gym (yes I just said I joined the gym you can laugh) and I am surprisingly really enjoying it. I have been going to Zumba almost every Tuesday which is basically dancing and shaking your booty like Beyonce, clearly the best form of exercise. Although I don't think I will be attending the Legs, Bums and Tums class ever, EVER again or not until I am a little more fit. It was basically a work out of death, I think I almost died, no I'm not joking. 

I hope this year continues to be full of laughs and good coursework results (keeping my fingers and toes crossed). I have so many things to write about but it is just so hard finding the time to sit down in my room and write urgh. But I promise I will start to post more frequently!

Sian.X

LIFESTYLE// UNI OUTFIT

The most stressful part of Uni (alongside your course) is definitely deciding what to wear. I mean you can't be seen on campus wearing the same thing every week. However there is a trick in doing this so you won't be spending hundreds of pounds in Topshop on a top you already have in 3 different colours (I deffo do this). It's all about layering, the key to looking good and being able to repeat outfits without looking like you have no clothes. 

Here I have put together my staple uni pieces for a casual outfit for those days when you wake up hungover and you realise you have 15 minutes to get to your lecture.

1) JEANS (Topshop)

Jeans are life savers, they go with everything and are easy to whip on when you have no time. I chose to include the ripped Joni jeans from Topshop as black jeans are my life (literally) I wear them pretty much all the time because I know they will always look good and fashionable with anything you match them with. 

2) WHITE CROP TOP (Zara)

Easy and simple. A crop top with high waisted jeans is such a good look and can easily be dressed down or up saving you money so you don't have to buy two completely different outfits. 

  

3) BLACK SHIRT (Asos) 

To dress this look down I think a plain black shirt would look so good. Oversized and thrown on with the buttons undone finishes this look off. Lecture theatres can be quite cold and during the transition of Summer to Autumn you don't want to be walking around with a heavy coat, so this layer alternative is perfect for those breezy days. 

4) CONVERSE (Office)

Converse are everything. A serious fashion staple in my wardrobe. I wear them all the time especially at uni as they're comfy and easy to throw on with any outfit. I feel the converse pull this casual look together. However if you are wanting to dress this outfit up then I'd swap the converse for heeled boots or maybe some loafers, perfect for a pub night out. 

5) RUCKSACK (H&M)

Since being at Uni I have realised a normal shoulder bag just won't do. Your back and shoulders feel like they are about to fall off and you don't want that. A rucksack is the thing you need for Uni as they are affordable and fit everything you want in them without breaking your back. 

6) NECKLACE (Banana Republic)

So many shops are selling these type of necklaces at the moment and I love them! They make your outfit instantly jump from an 8 to a 10. There are a lot of cheap alternatives and this is a piece of jewellery that you will definitely wear more than once. 

What are your Uni outfit staples? 

Sian. X

6 tips to surviving the first day at Uni

It's that time of year again where students are packing their cars with every last thing they own and heading for the motorway to start their first year at University.

First year is scary, exciting, fun and an amazing experience. A time where you meet so many different people who hopefully will become your friends for life. For me First year was everything and more than I had imagined.

 Here are my top tips to surviving the first day at Uni:

1) Last days at home:

Spend these wisely. Uni comes around so quickly and before you know it you are heading down the A3 to your new home. Fill your last week of summer with plans and spontaneous trips out with friends and family. You probably won't be seeing them until Christmas which is a long time if you are someone who has never lived away from home before.

2) Stay calm & don't stress:

 At the end of the day there is nothing to stress over as 'Everyone is in the same boat' ,the phrase every student must hear a thousand times over, but it is SO true, everyone really is. Even though some may not show their nerves, trust me they are totally freaking out inside. Be excited! Uni is an experience that you will never forget.

3) Be confident:
 Shy does NOT exist. Speak to everyone and even if you are not the most confident person, pretend you are, how will they know? If your flatmates don't like going out then it is entirely up to you to put yourself out there and find people who do as you don't want to be alone during freshers week. Also be friendly, you become friends with people you least expect.

4) Say YES:
Nights out, casual drinks, cooking together, going for meals... say yes to it all! You don't want to be the one missing out in all the fun even if it is something you don't think you'd enjoy.

5) Your uni room:
Loads of people complain about the size of their uni rooms but this really doesn't matter. Your room doesn't stop you from having fun. Once you have added your bunting and stuck pictures all over the bare walls of you and your friends and family it will be like you never left home.

6) Be yourself:
 The most important tip. Everyone worries about making friends at uni, with the repeated questions 'Will I fit in with these people' or 'What if no one likes me'. Honestly if you are yourself someone will like you. Uni is filled with such a variety of people that there will always be someone that you have something in common with. Whether that be your flat mate whose guilty pleasure is Taylor Swift or the girl on your course whose obsessed with Gossip Girl, there is someone for everyone. 

What tips would you give to freshers on their first day?

Sian X.

Take 2

I started my blog back in 2011 and have disappeared ever since (insert picture of tumbleweed)

I have been thinking for a while to start blogging again and to try and stick to it this time. Second time lucky right? Over the past year I have been super busy with A levels, applying to uni and starting my first job.I have chosen to study English Literature and creative writing at uni so I thought starting my blog again would be the perfect way to prepare myself for the life of writing AY AY.

I don't necessarily know what this blog is going to be based on so I am just going to go with the flow and see how it goes. With not having a lot of spare time I don't think I will be writing on here as much as I would like to but I will try my best to post frequently and I will definitely be better than last time... I promise!

Sorry but how can you not forgive that face hehe

SO where shall I start?
With 2014 moving swiftly forward I feel as if the year is already nearly over...its crazy!
Here's to starting my blog second time round can I hear a HELLLL YEAAAAAAAH
Next blog post...soon touch.

Sian X.