My March Highlights In Pictures

Here are some picture highlights of my March (starting from the top left)

1. B and I (keeping up with tradition) went to feed the ducks regularly this month because we are not complete monsters, we wont deny the ducks their dinner!  Also it was exam month and the ducks do soothe me so ultimately the ducks featured greatly in my March!
2. We also began taking regular walks. During one of our strolls B climbed, and briefly got stuck, up a tree.  Her failed attempt to be a little bit more Katniss Everdeen made me laugh a lot and it is these random impulsive acts that keep out walks fun and interesting.
3. We went mouse hunting in the flat, we thought of many elaborate schemes but in the end rather than seeing any of them through we went to Nandos instead.  It was at Nandos we decided to enlist the help of Nacho and Harvey my cats however they have a whole post dedicated to their visit so I'll move on 
4. I went home this month to visit my family and pets, I watched movies, ate real people food and hugged my dog like I've never hugged him before. And regarding Riley, I've never spoken of him until now.  Not to anyone.  Not even your grandfather! A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets.  But now you know there was a dog named Riley and that he saved me in every way a person can be saved.
5. I had my last university lectures of third year in March also.  We had a lot of fun snacks including chocolate name tags.  
6. And as I mentioned, it was exam week in march so there was a whole lot of studying going on!  That was not fun but being able to share the studying misery with my friends made it a little more tolerable!
7. And as most of you know, there was an eclipse this month - again a whole blog post was dedicated to it but to summarise I woke up at 6.30am still drunk and got to my eclipse viewing location with B at around 8am which was an hour too early.  B and I made our way home but ran into S and J on the way and decided to watch the eclipse with them and to be honest I should have stayed in bed.  The whole thing happened behind clouds and it was not at all like the 1999 Recess eclipse episode suggested it would be.  However it was nice to share this experience with J because she moved out this month, I felt like Troy when Gabriela was leaving to go her own way.
8. L and I went for a B and S night out on the town for the first time in forever, there was magic and fun and unfortunately I was noticed by someone.  However, it all worked out in the end.  We sang, we danced, we ate pizza... all good things, all good things!  And then when we got home we proceeded to cook up a storm in the kitchen - considering we didnt actually turn the oven on it wasn't exactly cooking up a storm.  And the next day we basked in the wonderful feeling of having no exams and we ordered domino's.  The best domino's I've ever had!
9. Finally, the chalk board is still going strong!  Fun messages for one and all, this week it has featured a fun saying we devised in the flat - *everyone puts their hands in, "Never forget the toppings on your pizza!" *state your favourite pizza toppings while raising your hand up into the hair.  This saying may have been slightly inspired by the Taylor Swift and co. saying "never forget the essence of your spark" #NoShade

So there you have it.  Exams, alcohol, and an enchanted forest, abundant in squirrels and cute little duckies (that ones especially for you B) And most notably the departure of one of our favourite friends J - shine on J, shine on!

Until next time

xoxo

Queen G

Oh and happy April fools day! May the odds be ever in your favour, they certainly aren't in L's!

Guess Who's Back? (Here's A Hint, It's Everyone's Favourite Insulin User)

Harvey

So as you may recall I not so long ago blogged about Harvey my diabetic cat... (If not check it out here http://youcancallmequeeng.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/pretty-kitty-walkin-down-street.html ) Well let me tell you this he can now add professional mouse hunter to his resume after he so kindly lent his services to 1 very desperate queen and her 4 very desperate cohorts.  It started like this... Many moons ago myself and my friends grabbed our red paint and headed out on the town, paint brush in hand!  The world was our oyster and we were feeling happy, free, confused and lonely at the same time - and wow is that a lot of emotions to feel at once! At the end of the night we hailed a cab and traveled smoothly at a moderate/economic speed until I was overwhelmed by the most beautiful sight I ever did see - The golden arches!!  We cruised through the drive-thru much to the annoyance of the most impatient taxi driver I've ever met and 4 medium meals, 2 black currant fruit shoots, a milkshake and 1 tea later we were on our way back home - being extra careful not to spill our unopened fruit shoots in the back of the taxi of course. 

My favourite view

This is when the relevant part of the story starts!  So we were sitting minding out own business in the hall happily devouring out Mcdonalds when suddenly a mouse came running under our front door, over L's leg and into my bedroom!  "keep your filthy paws of her silky drawers!" I exclaimed at the mouse confidently - everyone else screamed and cried a thousand tears but of course I, the dark knight, was unshaken by the whole thing.  The mouse ran out of my room and disappeared into the night however over the next few weeks the little rodent refused to leave, and so what would any rational 33% emotionally stable (according to Buzzfeed) girl do?  Call in the big guns of course! And so it was decreed, that each year the 12 destricts of Panem shall offer up in tribute one young man and woman, between the ages of 12 and 18, to be trained in the art of survival, and to be prepared to fight to the death that Nacho and Harvey would be coming to live in the Penthouse for a week!

#RelaxationGoals

The 2 small domesticated carnivorous mammals with soft fun, short snouts and retractile claws arrived, Harvey taking the move in stride, Nacho looking vaguely on the brink of a heart attack.  The girls offered their salutations to their 4 pawed heroes and they let the mouse hunting begin.  
Over the course of the week there was a lot of snuggling with the cats, cleaning up behind Nacho (because he's a a full time inconsistent litter tray user) and precisely 0 mice were caught.  

The week was not wasted of course!  The cat's proved that there's no therapy quite like pet therapy during exam time and the time that Nacho and I spent together greatly improved our relationship (So much so that I no longer felt like I had to tie my heart strings off from him). Also not one mouse has been seen nor herd since our feline friends came to stay! The cats are coming back to visit next week and we are all relaxed and excited and ready to party with the best of them!

Never known a love like this

Snuggle time

 And before you ask if there's a moral to this story, of course there is!
The moral of the story is sometimes in a sea of mice you're going to need bigger boat

*Update at 18.30 precisely1 mouse was caught in the flat as we just discovered!*
  xoxo
Queen G

Things I've Learned From My Favourite Movies

One thing you should probably know about me is that I absolutely love film and TV!  And anyone who knows me at all knows that I have a tendency to say that any film that I remotely like is my favourite!  Fun fact, my very favourite film ever is Titanic closely followed by Forrest Gump.  After these I have a small flurry of films that I would class as legit favourites - some of which include The Great Gatsby, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Clueless, Gone With The Wind and for course the 2011 cult classic  The Roommate. And then there are the favourites which are really just films I like and would probably watch several times - fun fact, I love re-watching the same films over and over again. 

Anyway, here is a short list of some of the things that my favourite films have taught me.

Titanic (1997)

Forever my fave movie couple

Rose taught me to think for myself and that no matter how sassy classy you are, deep down everyone wants to be drawn like a French girl.
Jack taught me that you can achieve anything that you put your mind to (except surviving the icy cold waters that hit you like a thousand knifes stabbing you all over your body - which to be fair would have probably been the most useful thing to be able to achieve).
And overall the film taught me that the heart does go on... and to never trust old ladies because the chances are they probably had the heart of the ocean in their pocket all along.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Bubba's impressive knowledge of shrimp

Forrest Gump taught me, once again, that no matter who you are or where you're from you can achieve anything you put your mind to (I'm sensing a theme here).  Forrest taught me that its okay to stop running when you get kinda tired, that you should treasure your best good friends because they aren't something that you can find just around the corner and that there is an infinitive amount of things you can do with Shrimp - boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it...

Clueless (1995)

"Ew get off of me!"

Clueless proved that all the best things to come out of the world happened in 1995.  Clueless taught me that everyone needs their own catch phrase, calling someone a Monet is probably one of the best insults ever and that it does not say RSVP on the state of liberty!



Breakfast At Tiffany's (1961)

Poor Cat! Poor slob! Poor slob without a name

This film taught me that some cat actors are better than people actors.  It reiterated the fact that Tiffany's is indeed far nicer than the library. It also introduced me to the song Moon River - a life changing song perfect for any situation.  

The Roommate (2011)

#RoommateGoalsSince2K11

Ahhh The Roommate, what a fine specimen of a film!  This movie answered the age old question: How many CW actors can you fit into one feature length film?  The answer is a lot.  The Roommate taught me that borrowing your friends clothes is A-OK but getting their deceased sister's name tattooed onto your chest is not - thanks for clearing that one up, I was never quite sure where people stood with that one.  it taught me to never trust someone if you are their only Facebook friend, that Billy Zane's career must have hit a low point during this time period (One minute you're playing Cal in Titanic and the next minute you're here, how did you get here Billy? And why, why Billy why!?)  Finally it taught me that I'll watch pretty much anything with Leighton Meester in it...

The Oranges (2011)

Giving Hugh the flirty eyes

This movie taught me that there is something extremely attractive about Hugh Laurie, it introduced me to the wonder that is Adam Brody and finally refer to the final lesson I learned from The Roommate.



The Life Of Pi (2012)

Magnificent

Whale, whale! Look at it!!! Yes whale!








Frozen (2013)

She does Anna just not with you!

Frozen taught me that princesses are irrelevant and everyone wants to be a queen now, it taught me that big sisters are kind of dicks - I mean all Anna wanted was to build a snowman with Elsa and Elsa continuously denied her and then when Elsa left the castle wanna guess what one of the first things she did was?  She built a snowman! Soz Anna #Rejection.


So there you have it.  Each one a masterpiece in it's own right, each one a solid 10/10 and each one also an educational journey!
Until next time
xoxo
Queen G

The Eclipse Acorrding To Queen G

Ok so I dont know about you but I'm feeling 22 if someone tells me that there is going to be a once in a life time life changing event happening then I for one am not going to pass up that opportunity! So when news of the eclipse reached me I set my alarm for 6.30am (even though the eclipse wasn't meant to happen until 9am) and I was super excited!  When my alarm went off that morning I decided an eclipse was not actually worth getting out of bed for so i silenced my alarm and rolled over to go back to sleep!  But luckily good old Beth - trusty old Nelly, knocked on my door and gave me the wake up call I needed.  By 7.30 we were ready to see this wonderful extravaganza in the sky but first we needed juice to help us tackle the looming hangover that was set to kick in as soon as we actually sobered up from the nigh before!  We got to Sainbos and found that we were slightly too eager to welcome in the day because Sainsbos wasn't even open yet.  After waiting patiently outside the front doors singing, dancing and having a great time the chirpy staff welcomed us in with open arms, the first customers of the day!  After acquiring some Irn Bru and Pepsi Max B and I walked to Arthur's Seat.  We scaled the side of the mountain, an asthma attack threatening to make an appearance the whole time, and eventually made it safely to the top. 

B in Sainsbos, sunglasses on, ready for the show!

Turns out we may have been a little too excited/raring to go because we were ready for the eclipse about an hour too early.  I took a brief nap in the grass and B played some soothing music - James Morrison I believe.  Unfortunately it became too cold and we couldn't wait it out any longer so we made our way home.

Nothing like a refreshing nap at 8am

On the way home the left over remnants of vodka in B's system told her it would be a great idea to do a round-off back flip type of thing which resulted in a near perfect round off followed by a face of dirt.  B was lying on the cold hard ground, a place all the best people have been.  I was absolutely devastated! As she lay face down not moving I suddenly realised my camera had failed to video the whole thing!!!  B was fine, apart from a bruised ego and grass stained jeans. 

B and Henry the hoover

In the end we joined J and S to watch the eclipse on front of our apartment building and let me tell you this... It was awful! The whole thing happened behind clouds and I did not feel different at all - 0/10 for the eclipse, terrible effort, even 7 year old Taylor Momsen would not have called that a lot of fun!  The sun was fully grown, had a lot of prosthetics and understood all of Jim Carrey's jokes.  A bitter disappointment.  

Insurgent: A Tale Of Hair Regret

Yo, Queen G here giving you the 411 that will make you go nuts.

So last week in between studying and taking long walks in the rarely seen Scottish sun B and I adventured out to one of our favourite hangouts - the cinema!  This time to see Insurgent - also known as Divergent 2: An Unfortunate Case Of Bedhead... Regardless of what the cool kids are calling it B and I can confidently say the movie was a lot of fun! 

You said it Tay!

Some of B and I's highlights include:

• Ansel. Ansel, oh Ansel.  Tragic in everyway a person can be tragic.  The running, the inability to do anything remotely helpful, the innocent lost lamb look in those beautiful eyes.  If it wasn't for the fact that by the end of the film you were completely unforgivable I would have liked nothing more than to take you under my wing and shelter you from Kate and all the evils of the world!
• Bedhead.  I couldn't help but shed a few tears and go through a brief mourning period for the loss of those beautiful long locks.  However, once I poured myself a drink, put on some lipstick and pulled myself together I was over it and I was able to fully appreciate what a wonderful crier Shailene Woodley is.  I see a bright future ahead for her and wait, wait, what't that noise?  Can you hear it too?  I believe it's an Oscar of the future calling out her name.
• Miles, like Lorde, was a lot sillier than you'd first imagine!  He kept the lols coming and took everyone, or at least everyone who hasn't read the books, by surprise when he saved the day towards the end of the film! 3 for you Miles Teller, you go Miles Teller!
• Theo, I couldn't help but wonder how much Theo would charge Sam Claflin for American Accent lessons because Theo's accent was on point.  
• Kate.  Let's be real, I think we can all agree that her problem was never actually with the Divergents and that in the end all she really wanted was to be painted like a French girl once again #Wearingthis #Wearingonlythis
• Naomi, what were you like 4 when Theo was born? Is that really where he got his name from? 

These were just a few of our thoughts on the film.  I really enjoyed it and can't wait to see it again!  over all I'd give the film a solid 9/10.

Fun fact: If I were in Divergent I would 100% be an Amity, brushing the horses, riding the horses, becoming one with the horses... Amity is basically one big horse camp.  B would like to think she is Dauntless but considering she's a 60% rule breaker and a 40% wanderer-offer she'd most likely end up factionless either from being asked to leave for rule breaking or from wandering off during the choosing ceremony before actually selecting a faction.

Until next time,

xoxo

Queen G

Interview With My Flatmates: School and University

So I decided I would start interviewing my flatmates on different subjects for my blog, this is my first one and it's on the subject of school and university because I thought it would be interesting to see how our high school experiences differ and we all met in university - it just makes sense.  

I will be interviewing the always positive and cheery bundle of joy that is Jessica (J), the excitable and celestial super fun friend and Nelly Yuki enthusiast Beth (B) and the sassy, classy and a bit smart assy Serena Van Der Woodsen wannabe Lesley (L).

The only picture of the 4 of us...

Here are some fun facts about each of them:
Jessica: Has cooked my dinner for me on more than one occasion, is an amazing singer and will always leave a night out early to get food!

Me and Jessica on my birthday

Beth: Is an avid duck feeder, lets me brush her hair like a pony and once she saw Hugh Laurie on a bus.  

Beth and I on Galentines day

Lesley: Let me bottle feed her on one occasion, once had like 3 gym memberships because she was too scared to cancel any of them and she has a pet chicken called Chuck. 

Me and Lesley in da club

Let the hunger games interview begin!

Q. What was your favourite subject in high school?
A.
(L) I really liked history!
(J) Art
*Beth and Lesley get sidetracked and need to be asked to pay attention*
(B) I would say Spanish. I really liked creative writing as well, it was good       umm yeahh.

Q. What was your least favourite subject in school?
A.
(L) ummmm in 1st and 2nd year I really hated French *Beth is surprised* and tech *Beth asks us to clarify what tech is ("it's like woodwork" says Lesley) and Beth laughs a great laugh that shook the pride land at the idea of Lesley           making a bird house - fun fact she made a boat actually*
(J)Maths
(B)I'd say maybe algebra 1 because I had no base, I didn't do pre-algebra         and American studies because they didn't explain to me properly what a           thesis was, apparently my ideas were college level but my layout was that of     a preschooler!
*We also come to the conclusion that mostly they did best in their favourite classes and worst in their least favourite*

Q. Did you play any sports in school/were you part of any clubs?
A.
(B) I did track, cross country ummm I also did creative writing *Lesley tries to interrupt to state that she was on year book committee and PR* Excuse me I believe Beth has the floor and I also did epic which was all about accepting diversity in school, it wasn't actually creative writing club it was book club and I was president of it for a year *loud laughs from everyone* I was also in amnesty international (Lesley says "WOW you were cool in high school!") and I was also part of MAC - multicultural something or other and I had the Scotland booth and we served Irn Bru and everyone said it tasted of cough medicine!
(J)I was in like the panto in 6th year and my teacher got me to apply to choir - it was like glee club! (she loved it!)
(L)Oh i was in some clubs I played netball and I was in the *Lesley gets interrupted and told that we've heard enough from her for now*

Q. Who was your favourite school teacher and why?
*Please note that Beth and Lesley get side tracked again and they need a telling off requesting that they remain focused and respectful of the interviewer*
A.
*Beth and Lesley start discussing the teachers that they had a crush on which was not the question*
(J)Mrs McBioteacher because she was really really kind and helpful and she really inspired me in biology and that's why I decided to study dietetics!
(B) You know what I hated all my teachers!
(L) I hated my biology teacher! ("LESLEY THAT WASN'T THE QUESTIONS!" I exclaimed! *Beth laughing*"You've gotten every question wrong" she says in between laughs) 

Q. What was your favourite school trip?
A.
(J) Ski trip!
(L) I went on a trip to Winmarleigh Hall (I interrupt to freak out over the fact that I also went their on a school trip!)
(B) We had one school trip! It was with geology the teacher rented a school bus, found out she didn't have a school bus driving licence we hit a fire hydrant and then we went to Taco Bell! *Beth couldn't get anything to eat because they didn't have anything vegetarian on the menu*

Q. Did you have a favourite book you read in English?
A.
(J) Trainspotting!
(B) I quite liked The Catcher In The Rye once I understood it! I hated reading it over summer but once I actually understood what he was going on about and the underlying themes!
(L) The merchant of Venice - It was really good because it has that quote "all that glitters is not gold"

Q. If you could go back to high school would you change anything?
A.
(J)No
(L)My weight and hair
(B)Ignoring my date to winter ball all evening

Q. If you could tell your high school self anything what would it be?
A. 
(J) Don't worry about stupid things!
(B)White eyeliner will save your life! Wear some makeup please!
(L) Yeah wear some make up!

Q. If you could go back would you change the course you chose to do at university? (Grades/money don't matter)
A. *All say yes*
(B) I would take a gap year and I would use it to find out what I would like to do.  I'd do some volunteering.  But I'd probably study some writing or literature course
(J) Art
(L) yeah probably like history!
*To clarify we found that if they could go back in time they would all choose a course or subject that they actually liked*

Q. If money didn't matter which city would you want to study in and if you could attend any university in the world which one would you choose?
A.*All initially said they wouldn't swap uni because then we would have never met each other*
(J) Ideal city - Glasgow. Ideal university - Glasgow University
(B)Ideal City -Oklahoma to be closer to my family. Ideal university - Rice
(L) Ideal city - New York. ideal university - Oxford

Q. What was your favourite memory from freshers week?
A.
(J) I can't remember most of freshers week!
(B) When I was trying to get Lesley to name her children after me after only knowing her for one night!
(L) When I realised that all my new friends had a mutual dislike for one person (who will remain unnamed)

Q. Other than the actual work what is the hardest part about being at university?
A.
(B) Being considered an adult
(L) Yeah!
(B) Money troubles too!
(L) Having to act like a grown up when I feel like a child

Q. Finally Summarise university in one word.
A.
(B) Celestial 
(L) Weird
(J) Drunk

So there you have it, everything you could possibly want to know about my friends school experiences - it was a lot of fun interviewing them although it also turned out to be rather challenging considering we all love to hear the sound of our own voices so much.  
Until next time
XOXO
Queen G

The Australian Adventure Part 2

So I decided to split the Australia post up into 2 parts because you know what they say about too much fun, it's not good for the old heart!  But i'm back now with part 2 of my Aussie adventure - fun fact: this part of the trip includes road trips, emus and even more dolphins.  

Classic writing in the sand pic

After Christmas my family and I packed up some things and headed out on the road - half of us in my uncles car and the other half in a hired car.  Myself, my sister and my dad took the hired car and I had full control on the music which was heavenly since I had made a road trip playlist - fundamentals are the building blocks of fun after all.  We were on our way to Monkey Mia which was over 10 hours away in the car, we were stopping half way at a motel in order to split the driving up a bit and I was filled with excitement! I love being in the car, I cant drive yet and so I get to put up my feet, close my eyes and just enjoy the music - I feel like a modern Miss Daisy.  When we arrived at our first destination we went straight for a walk to stretch those leg muscles and for food because food is my favourite part of the day.  Then when we got back to the motel my sister and I proceeded to make a million movie trailers on an app on our Ipads - they were cinematic masterpieces on par with the likes of The Theory Of Everything and Les Mis.  

Riding shotgun

The next day we set out on the open road again listening yo short burst of songs - slow and yet uplifting songs at first to welcome us into the day and then gradually building up to upbeat booty shakers #ProfeshDJOverHere.  Then we made some pit stops at Shell Beach and other fun locations.  Fun Fact:  There is a huge amount of random wild goats wandering around the outback - like there was so sign of civilization for like 2 hours and then we passed a herd of goats!?!?!  Finally we arrived at the celestial, radiant, heaven on earth that is Monkey Mia!  The first thing I noticed about Monkey Mia was all of the emus that wandered around - it was crayyy.  There was no time to waste, I wanted to soak up all of the magic from this place just for myself.  I changed into a bikini, grabbed my snorkel mask and charged to the beach full speed ahead.  My sister and I took to the water and then a wondrous thing happened, the dolphins accepted me as one of their own and they swam among us! 

Emu

Shell Beach

Dolphin

That night was New Years Eve and we spent it partly watching the Sydney New Years shenanigans and party in the hotel bar - There was a live musical act that weren't really talented at all and I got a strong vibe of sexual tension from them even though they were old and wearing matching Hawaiian shorts and shirts but they were a lot of fun.  We danced a bit then we headed to the beach to dip our feet in the ocean for the first time in 2014 and to dance around in the sand then we went to bed.  

Our alarms woke us early the next morning so that we could watch the first dolphin feeding of the new year, I just loved all of the dolphin activities because they are most definitively the greatest of all God's creatures.  Then we headed out to see some sights such as Eagle's Bluff - where we spotted a shark in the ocean and a sort of Aquarium/Marine conservation place - where we watched the shark feeding.  After this we went for dinner then back to the hotel.  On our final day we went for a walk and a swim before heading on a sunset boat ride and then an early bed to prepare us of the 10 hour trip back to Perth.

Romantic sunset boat ride

"I survived the shark feeding" sticker

On the way back we stopped at the Pink Lake, The Pinnacles and Nature's Window.  Fun fact: One member of the party thought that the Pinnacles were kangaroo grave stones and we almost detroyed the hired car going off road to get to Nature's Window.  

Pink is my fave colour

Nature's Window

Me and sissy at the pinnacles

The good, the bad and the ugly

Once back in Perth my dad, sister and I went for a trail ride which was so much fun - the best trail ride I've ever been on!!  I got to ride an ex race horse called Copper and we went for a gallop and small jump - It was the first time I'd been horse riding in ages and I loved it so much! Then before I knew it my mother and sister headed back to Scotland.  

This hat is hot!

 My dad and I then went down to Margaret River for a few days.  We visited the lighthouse where the Southern and Indian oceans meet (Fun Fact: my dad was taking a picture of me with the lighthouse and a snake slithered along the path behind me and instead of warning me he turned and ran leaving me to fend for myself), we explored a cave and (my personal favourite) we discovered Cowaramup!!  Cowaramup was a little town full of fake cows and it was the most random and amazing discovery I've ever made.  I subjected my father to roughly 4 hours of Taylor Swift music on the drive back to my uncle's house and then the day after we got back m grandad flew back to Scotland.  My dad and I spent our last few days in Australia at the zoo and by the pool - the temperature was in the mid 40's, the pool was perfect (except when I got stung by a hornet while I was in the pool!) and I was so upset at the prospect of coming home!  My tan was on point!!  

Happy moooo year

<-Southern Ocean.
Indian Ocean->

At the zooooo

The time came to pack my things, say farewell to my uncle and head to the airport - I had forgotten how much I loved Australia before this holiday and I desperately wanted to stay!  As a wise Canadian has-been(#RudeAndControversial #SorryNelly) once said "All good things come to and end" and this holiday was no exception.  

And just like that it was done - except unlike Rose from Titanic I do have some pictures and it does not exist only in my memory #21stCenturyPerks.

Queen G's Australian Adventure.

During the 2013th year after Christs death there were whispers in the wind hinting at a winter getaway to the land down under.  As the year progressed I had slowly lost hope that this trip would actually happen, similarly to the way that Charlie felt when he disappointingly lost hope of ever winning a golden ticket.  However, as it would turn out my life continued to mirror Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory when just like Charlie I too got my ticket, except mines wasn't golden and it cost me over £1000.   The week beginning December 16th started out treacherously when i had to complete 4 13 hour shifts in a row at my placement, I was going mad with sleep deprivation and I'm pretty sure I couldn't even tell you my own name.  Was I Queen G, was a lost little pig called Babe trying to find my way in a big city? who knew?  As my last shift drew to a close I skipped all the way home, scooped up my cats and took them to the cattery (it took all of my inner strength to leave Harvey, his eyes pierced my soul questioning why? why was I leaving him?  I said a heart felt goodbye to Harv and I think I probably gave Nacho an acknowledging nod and then I left).  Next thing I knew it was the wee hours of the next morning and we were leaving for the airport.  Australia here we come.

A brutal 24ish hours/Two flights/several disgusting airplane meals later 

We finally arrived at Perth International Airport (our suitcases on the other hand did not but hey whatcha gonna do?)  My mother picked us (us being my dad and I) up and drove us to my uncles house.  I borrowed my mothers bikini and I got in that pool and lapped up that vitamin D liked I'd never lapped up anything before! 

So happy to be in the sunshine!

Before I knew it my suite case had arrived and the holiday was in full swing.  The first fun activity I partook in was snorkeling with wild dolphins which was both the most amazing and most terrifying thing I've ever done - you see I watched Jaws at a very young age and now I have an irrational fear of sharks.  The dolphins were celestial and a lot of fun!

Still cute though

So close to the dolphins

Then it was Christmas which for the first time ever comprised of sunshine and BBQ.  There was no time for a moments rest though, sleep is for the weak (or as my mother would say "you can sleep when you're dead #WiseWordsFromMamaBear).  Next it was surfing lessons, I'm 99% sure I gave myself brain damage when the board came down and smashed my head!  And when I couldn't pick up surfing at first my instructor was mean to me which resulted in a classic G huff where I came out of the sea and sat on the beach crying #BlameTheJetLag.  Ultimately I sat on the beach envisioning the surf instructor being devoured by a shark and then I poured myself a drink, put on some lipstick and pulled myself together.  When I went back into the water with my surfboard a random surfer gave me some top tips for mastering the basics - shout out to her for being a top notch human being, and then by the end of my lesson I managed to stand up!!

It was a lot of fun

Surfing lessons

After going home and showering and grabbing a bite to eat we made our way into Perth for the boxing day sales and I treated myself to a Swarovski bracelet.  My poor father had to wander around the shops with me for hours on end before finally we stopped for a bite to eat and a drink.  

Showing of my new purchase not so subtly 

My uncle also treated us to VIP tickets to see Cavalia which was a lot of fun, the show was amazing and I briefly considered giving up on university to become a full time horse riding gymnast before I quickly realised that I aint about that life. There was a lot of delish food in the VIP area and we got to meet the horses after the show #StarTreatment.  My fave was a horse that looked like my old pony - The late Surprise.  

Pre show

With my mother and the ponies

Chillin in the sun in Mandurah

 A few days of lazing around the pool gave us time to recoup from our busy schedules, in this time we also visited Mandurah and  Fremantle.  Fremantle was so cool, we went on a prison tour and had some drinks in a bar.  Mandurah was so pretty!! We stopped for lunch and then found a sort of carnival thing with rides as well which was awesome, Gillian and I went on the waltzers and belly laughed which I personally think is one of the best feelings ever!

Recreating my fave movie Titanic

Carousel in Mandurah 

The next part was our road trip, refer to Australia part 2 to hear all about it!

(Part 2 coming soon)