Bye Bye Summer!

Hi everyone! Long time no see. I'm finally home and the summer is ending...! You'd think that would make me sad, no more sleeping till 1 or 2, not being able to do whatever whenever, not as much time for reading (actually that one does make me quite sad).... yet I'm happy to be going back to school. I love the feeling of a fresh start. Those new shiny copies and crystal clean erasers are simply delightful. And getting my time table is absolutely thrilling! I can't wait to colour co-ordinate different tables for my locker, diary, wall and then form a study plan I know I will never use. It may sound weird and nerdy but I know I'm not the only one. Right? RIGHT!?
So I know you're all probably dying to hear all the deets and gos from my fabulous hols (just nod and smile guys, nod and smile...). Well, where do I begin...? Okay, so I think the last time it looked like I was alive on the internet was around the time I was in Sligo visiting my cousins. That was a fun week. I did a lot of shopping and beach walking. I much prefer beaches in Ireland than abroad. Take Spain for instance, that sand during the day can get so hot it will burn worse than the sun. I have the blisters to prove it too! I know Irish beaches can be cold, but the sand is so smooth and I love how my heart races when I run into the freezing water. The dogs couldn't come to the beach this year though. Molly is getting too old, she even finds it difficult getting around the house. And then there was this rare feature in the sky called the sun that had me lying on the grass most of the time; reading.
After that, I went to Irish college. I had to get a ferry there and spend two weeks speaking a language I barely know with people I didn't know at all. Sound horrific right? That's what I thought before, but boy was it fun! Or should I say a bit of craic! I'll do a whole post about that soon.
Then I went to Spain, again, for the 6th time, in the exact same place, doing the exact same thing... Only difference was that we drove to Gibralter for a day. That was cool. You know they accept euro AND sterling there! I didn't actually get to go up on the rock itself. It was supposedly over 40*C at the top. I'll be back sometime in the future to see if that's true.
And now I'm home. Just in time for school on Tuesday.

Bye Bye Summer!

x

Would You Rather ~ Harry Potter!

This uber cool tag I found on Francoise's blog is completely Harry Potter themed. And if that wasn't the cherry on top, I don't know what is!
Would you rather go to prom with Harry, Ron or Draco?
All three are totally different and yet I love all three equally. Harry is really small so sorry but he's out. I'll probably be wearing heels so.... I adore Ron, he's so funny and cute. Then Draco is the more misunderstood guy and has got this whole bad boy thing going on, you know him being a Death  Eater and all. Then again, Ron may show up in that hideous outfit he wore to the Yule Ball, which shouldn't really affect my choices but does because this such a close call. I choose Draco!
Would you rather be sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin?
I am in Ravenclaw (well according to the quiz), but I really wouldn't mind which House. Preferably Gryffindor or Ravenclaw though.
Would you rather explore the Forbidden Forest or the Halls of Hogwarts?
Halls of Hogwarts hands down! I mean, that castle must be incredible. I could find the one-eyed witch passageway, discover the room of requirement or even dine in the Great Hall. Besides that forest is full of centaurs and spiders and wolves. Oh My!
Would you rather enroll in Potions, Charms, Divination or Defence Against The Dark Arts?
Defence against the Dark Arts would be unreal. I like the idea of charms too. But who's a preferable teacher; Snape/ Lupin/ Mad Eye or Flitwick?
Would you rather buy an owl, cat, rat or toad? 
I absolutely adore owls! So yeah, I'd pick an owl.
Would you rather have in possession: the elder wand, resurrection stone, or the cloak of invisibility?
Cloak of invisibility seems the wisest choice.
Would you rather be tutored by Luna Lovegood or Hermione Granger?
Eh, Hermione, obviously. She is the Genius!
Would you rather (in the final battle) fight against Nagini (the snake) or Bellatrix?
I'd enjoy a good ol' duel against Bella, I think. Then I could slaughter her for killing Sirius!!!
Would you rather fight a basilisk or a dragon?
Dragon, probably cause it's a mythical creature.
Would you rather be a part of the Malfoy family or Weasley family?
Weasleys! Best family ever. Life with twins could never be boring.
Would you rather have a butterbeer or pumpkin juice?
Butterbeer.... I've had my fair share of pumpkin juice. I think Harry's reaction to skelegro would be adequate.
Would you rather fly on a broomstick, Hagrid's motorbike or Buckbeak?
Oooh! Tough question. Either Buckbeak or broom. Probably broom, that way I could play quiddich.
Would you rather have a conversation with Daniel Radcliffe or J.K. Rowling?
The answer to that is impossible. Rowling created it all but Daniel is my Harry, yet not Harry. Both, I fear, would disappoint me. They say you should never meet your heroes....

That was fun!

x

*P.S. I'm really sorry that I'm not commenting on all your wonderful blogs. I'm visiting my cousins and rarely the computer is available to me. I've tried commenting on some blogs using the ipad, but the message just gets wiped when I try to reply. So as soon as I'm home I will have a bit of spare time to catch up. Then it's off to Irish College - eek!*

The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars is the first John Green book I have read. And I can assure you it won't be the last. The day after I finished it, I marched into easons and searched frantically for John Green's books. Then I had to decide from which to choose. So now, Paper Towns is waiting patiently upon my bookshelf to be read. They're beginning to remind me of an army, the books I mean, lined up like that. Gallant soldiers preparing for battle.

Anyway, TFioS is remarkable. I read it in one day. Basically it's about cancer infused Hazel meeting formally cancer infused Augustus Waters at support Group and this great friendship that evolves from it. But nothing about this story is basic. First of all this book is so realistic I started to think Hazel and Gus were real people. Like how did John Green do it? How can a simple blue paperback be so compelling? I was totally astounded when the book just suddenly finished that I had to take a few hours to tell the difference between reality and what I just read. When I had turned the last page, I was expecting more but there was nothing. Then I thought I was missing the last page and almost started crying, mainly because I was still an emotional wreck after that unmentionable incident that tore me up, pulled out my heart, bashed my head against a wall, stuck my heart back in and let all the emotions and pain hit me like a steaming hot iron!
AAAAGGGHHHHH!!! JOHN GREEN IF I EVER GET MY HANDS ON YOU-------!!!!!
adajkjabfjbvfuiwbinsbhfuihbivbhUIVBJdsvdjbgny.....!

*comes back sometime later with a bit more self control (and two puffy eyes)*

okay, where was I? Ah, yes, the ending. It wasn't completely abrupt but it was definitely not very resolved. It reminded me of that book Hazel read, the book that was pretty much at the heart of this one. I loved how Hazel found out the true meaning eventually, it was so heart wrenching how the writer wanted his daughter to live through her teens if only through a book. That part started up the water works again.

When I see it in the cinema, I'll probably go through this traumatic experience again. Shailene Woodley is cast as Hazel. I can definitely see her as Hazel. I knew before I read it so I had her pictured as Hazel the whole time.  Apparently she's Tris too, I only started that last night, but I cannot for the life of me see her as Tris. No. Just no.

As for Gus (my fictional boyfriend), Ansle Elgort shall play--- what? NO. That is not how I imagined Gus! AGH! NO please no. Well, okay, he's not too bad. Some of those google images are just not Gussy enough. Actually he looks like a totally different person in some. Okay, I won't worry about it, I'll just wait for the movie.

 

                              Speaking of Gus, isn't he just the greatest book boyfriend ever?! I mean even as a character on his own, I just love him. At first I was a bit like "ugh, god, not another one of these ultra cool, incredibly sexy, so perfect in a very annoying way type of male lead. And then I fell madly in love. I can't explain it, you'll just have to read the book, if you already haven't.

 

*I'm starting to like that Gus in the picture*

 

What more can I say, other than proclaim the book's excellence and  terrorise you with comments about Gus and his amazingness until you read it. The Fault in Our Stars, deserved every star that it gets. And five just isn't good enough.

x

 

 

 

Originality

It is something I seem to lack of. And yet, is one of the most admirable traits, in my opinion. Without uniqueness everyone would blend together until you couldn't tell any individual apart. What kind of world would that be? Imagine reading the same general post on every blog, everyone having the exact same opinion and absolutely nothing different. Being different is what this world strives on. Do you think Lady Gaga is famous for wearing a fish tank on her head because everyone else does? I think not. Being different is good, mostly.
Part of blogging is about being different, but specifically being original, just being yourself. For a while I've tried out different things on my blog. Except nearly all of these posts were pick pocketed from other blogs. I worry too much about whether people read my blog or don't like what they read. I've tried too hard to make this blog great like so many other blogs and while doing so I seem to have lost me. My blog's originality needs to resurface, if it were ever there before.
So I have decided to write about what ever I feel like. Instead of attempting to review books in that horrible format of what I liked, what I disliked, I think I'll just type as I think and see what gibberish I come out with.
However there is no point bringing the blog back to me if I do not know who I am. I always enjoy listening to people with strong opinions and contemplating whether or not I agree with them. But I've only come to realise that I have never formed an opinion by myself on any topic. I only agree or disagree with what people say but never come up with an opinion on my own. Tragic really.
So from now on, I am going to debate ideas in my head and waffle away on my blog. And tough if you don't like it! I may sound harsh or hopefully make complete sense, but that is my opinion.

x

June Round Up

June is already over and it only feels like yesterday that summer began. That's a whole month of holidays gone in a blink. It was a really busy month, I must say. I had to take a few days out after the stress of those hideous exams (shudders), I spent that by lying on the grass reading under the wonderful (yet rare) sun. In the blogging world, however, I had a lot more time to read lots of cool posts and try and find unique blogs. On the book side of things, I only read four books! I mean, how is that possible! (shakes in head disbelief). They were four very good books though.

The Night Circus was therefore my first review. I'm not sure if I got it across thoroughly through that post but you HAVE TO READ IT!

The Characters come to Life followed soon after because I kept thinking what actors should play whom in different books.

I decided to do a meme of Top Ten Beach Reads. That was kinda boring.

Inspiration Board was my crafty post of the month and was so much fun making it!

The Da Vinci Code was the only other book I reviewed. I love to read I'm just not very good at reviewing them....

I did a Birthday Haul because it was (obviously) my birthday....

And that haul happened to be posted whilst I was parading around London. Had a brilliant time there. All I've done since is watch wicked videos and stalk cast members on twitter.

The interview of this month was with the lovely Cat.

And that's it for June, see you in July... I mean tomorrow.

x

Interview #6

Hi Cat a warm welcome to my humble abode.
Thank you for having me! It's an honour to be here. ^_^

You've been blogging for a long while now, tell me, what is it about blogging that made you stick with it?
It's a mixture of things. I think the main reason is simply because I love blogging and it's became a normal part of my life over the years. It does sometimes feel like a chore if I'm running low on ideas but I always get my passion back as soon as I've had a little time away. I think because I've been at it a good chunk of my life I would miss it a crazy amount if I stopped. Also, I get amazing feedback from readers and a lot of support which keeps me motivated.

You've very cleverly named you're blog "Through a Cat's Eyes", but if you had to choose any other title what would it be?
Oh wow, I have no idea! My blog started out as "What I've done today" (lame, I know) so I guess if I hadn't thought of "Through a Cat's Eyes" it would still be called that.

Imagine this, you're stuck on an island, completely deserted when you find a tea pot washed in with the waves. It happens to be a genie lantern, he grants you one wish for any object you may fancy (but you cannot wish for more wishes). What is the wish?
Awesome question :D We got asked a similar question in my primary school year book when I left and as far as I remember I said I would wish for a kettle.... Somehow I think my answer has changed since then. :P Now I think I would wish for a phone with unlimited call time and texts so I could keep in contact with my friends and family until I get off the island. I wouldn't go insane if I had someone to talk to.

In your opinion what makes a great blogger?
Someone who is completely individual and true to themselves; someone who doesn't conform and try to become popular by doing what they think is "right" , someone who doesn't really care what people think of their blog. I think that these things just come with time because I find that some new bloggers think that there is some sort of formula that makes a good blogger, but there really isn't. It's all about being yourself. :)

Besides blogging what are your hobbies?
I'm obsessed with paying ukulele.... I have a pink uke called Gus and he is quite literally the love of my life.  I also play piano (my keyboard is called Fletcher and my piano is called Margo...)  but I kinda go through phases of playing a lot then not playing at all for a while. Of course I also love reading and watching films but the weather's been picking it up a bit recently so I've been spending more time out with my friends :D It's quite sad but I'd say I spend most of my time watching YouTube videos, I found YouTube in 2009 and got sucked in. I still haven't found my way out of that black hole. O_O

You are given the chance to design one room in The Night Circus (have you read the book?) , using all of your creativity, uniqueness and magic, describe this tent in the circus. Remember there are no limits.
I haven't actually read The Night Circus I'm afraid..... :(

What are your aspirations for the future?
Questions like this scare the hell out of me because I quite literally have no idea. Emma Blackery recently made a video saying that it's okay not to have an ambition and not to know what you want out of life, which made me feel a lot better, but I'm still feeling rubbish about not knowing where I'm headed.  :( if money was no issue then I would happily spend my life renovating houses and old derelict buildings, along with designing houses for my friends and family.... I'd love to be an interior designer but at the same time I have a real interest in politics. .... I'm so confused >_<

Thanks Cat!
Thank you for having me! :D

x

Loose in London

I still don't understand how our parents could let 4 teenagers on their own for five days in one of the biggest cities in the world! For months now, I have been saving every penny and sacrificing  my social life to afford this holiday. But it was TOTALLY WORTH IT! I mean, wow....... London is HUGE! And there are people from every culture there.  We landed last Tuesday in Heathrow, after a very exciting morning,  our flight had an emergency landing so that wasn't a great omen. We stayed in an apartment that was mega modern but really tiny. My feet hurt so much after walking regent street and oxford down to covent garden. According to Dawn I had tumer-like extra toe that was indeed a very nasty blister. We were the best tourists London ever had.

 

 

Here are my favourite places we visited:

Wicked

This is the best musical I have EVER SEEN. I would classify it as a must do before I die. I am obsessed with Wicked, my most played tracks on my ipod are all Wicked. As far as I know it was the awesome Louise Dearman and Gina Beck that played Elphaba and Glinda last Thursday the 20th of June (if anyone can confirm this, please do?). I was completely dazzled by their performance and I can't express how brilliant this show is. Wicked is completely enchantingly deadly.

London Eye

This was a nice way to see the city. It is really slow and cold but the view from the pods are just breath taking. The queue wasn't that long (well an hour...). Next time I come to London (oh yes, I will be back!) I don't think I'll visit it again. It's more of a been there done that. But if it's your first time visiting you just have to go on the London Eye.

Bus Tour

This was actually really fun. We got to sit on an open roof bus (which is always going to make my day). This is where I probably took the most pictures. I got to pass J.K Rowling's house among other famous peoples and saw really expensive cars. We passed Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Madam Tussauds and even had a free river cruise.  It was also great to finally sit down!

Madam Tussauds

The queue for this was unbearably long! I think we were standing in line for almost 2 hours just to buy tickets. And we were in a rush to have dinner as well as see Wicked, so we pretty much ran through it, pushing people out of the way to get pictures. There's one of me and Ghandi (please ignore any sunburn you may see.... who knew you could get burnt in London?!) Some wax figures were very fake while others were startlingly real. My favourite of course is Emma Watson, the Beatles and the royal family tied in second place. The scream place inside there is cool too. I  screamed the whole way as we walked around while clinging onto Noreen. It is not actually that scary but the man beforehand giving out the rules terrified me. Make sure to have a lot of time here for full enjoyment.

M & M's World

This is exactly what it is. It is M&M's World. It is dazzling! The smell of the chocolate wafting from that shop.... We visited there everyday! It's just so colourful. It reminds me of Willy Wonka's factory with giant M&Ms instead of oompaloompas.

Summing it all up, London is WICKED! It was an incredible experience for a mere 17 year old. I came away with a new obsession, a sun burn, an oxford university jumper and 2 pounds. By the way, sterling is theee most confusing currency ever! Why on earth are some coins bigger that higher values. It just doesn't make any sense!......

Oh and may I also say, why are British boys so good looking????!!!!

 

"Wicked!"

x