It's the butt end of 2015

Whassup, llamas!!

How's everyone doing?

So.  It kinda hit me that all of a sudden that it's nearly the end of 2015.... Can you believe it?  On the one hand, this year feels like it's gone extremely slowly but on the other hand, it feels like I haven't had enough time to do anything at all... Or maybe I'm just lazy and that's why I haven't gotten much done BUT nevertheless, I'm feeling rather reflective.  Don't we all tend to start feeling reflective in the closing of events?  Whether tragic or just a passage of time?

I'm not going to pretend that I remember every single tragedy that has happened over the last year.  Because that's a lie.  So, I'm sorry.

There've been so many losses  over the last year but I'm sure that there has also been numerous gains, both world wide and personally.

So, for those of you who have overcome adversity or are in the process of overcoming anything, well done.  You don't need my pride or approval but sometimes it helps.  So.  Well done.  Keep going because you're doing amazing.  You are amazing.  Don't let the nargles get you down  (okay, so you only know that reference if you're a Harry Potter fan (yes, terribly British of me)).  I've had to repeat these assurances to myself thousands of times over the last year, and find myself repeating it more recently as I've been piled up with work (I was ill for two weeks).

Okay, so this most doesn't make much sense.  I was trying to be profound and then realised that I'm not in the profound, soul searching mood today.  So that was a bust.  BUT my point is that we've all had a busy year, filled with happiness, sadness, anger, disappointment, anxiety, love, and satisfaction, and some of us still have another month of all this, while others have found the emotion that fits them.

I read somewhere that November was like the Thursday of the year.  And it's the last day of the month.  Does that mean that its like 11:59pm on a Thursday?  Because if so, it's the longest minute EVER.  I would've thought that November was like Friday or Saturday, right?  Because December is like the Sunday to January... right?  January is the start of a new year... just like Monday... right?  No?  Okay.  Shutting up now.

Shenaya xx

P.S. Raffi tried to french kiss my mum.

"Paint me like one of your French girls" (that's Ahmad btw)

I'm a whiny teenage girl.

Hola, llamas!!

So how's everyone doing?

I thought today's post could be more of me complaining and whining about my life, instead of thinking about the world's problems that I probably can't change.

So.  What's going on in my oh so terrible life?

1) I am ill.  Very ill.  Super ill.  And I will now commence in giving you disgusting details about the colour of my phlegm and how when I cough, I pee a little (it's gotten to that point in our relationship).  Okay, so I won't give you the details.  Because I am a lady - contrary to a lot of people's beliefs BUT I have the boobs to prove it (if you recall, they're kinda like small islands - they can probably be seen on Google Maps).  I was joking about the whole peeing thing, by the way (kinda).

Anyway, I'm ill and not getting better at all.  I've been ill for a week.  Since my birthday.  If I spent the 14th night with you, I BLAME YOU.  And my shit immune system.  But I REFUSE TO ADMIT GUILT because I'm stubborn like that.

Mum says when I'm ill, I become like a man.  I complain.  I act like a weakling.  I EXPECT YOU TO FEEL SORRY FOR ME.  I'm a mean invalid (yes, I called myself an invalid - my mother is right, I act like a man).  Speaking of my mother, she's ill as well.  Yay.  Oh, and so is my grandma.  And they both blame me.  But like I said, I refuse to admit guilt.

2) I'm supposed to be starting a new job - well, work experience BUT things keep getting in the way... Like ME BEING ILL and then I have some stupid college trip on the day I'm supposed to be starting and I don't know what to do because apparently it's compulsory but there isn't much point in me going.  The point of the trip is to network and find people in our chosen field of business for future contacts, but if that's the whole point of my work experience, wouldn't it be better to go there and get the real life experience as well?  I DON'T KNOW.  Those of you that know me, know that I don't like missing college, I don't like having to catch up and I DO NOT play hooky.  At least not consciously.  So.  DILEMMA.  Oh and I've got so many bloody routine hospital check ups and appointments for various ailments (there's a loooooonnnnnnngggggggg list), that there probably isn't even much point in starting this work experience.

3) Problem 3: So.  Because I'M ILL, I haven't made it into college for a week.  So I'm playing catch up.  And I have an assignment in for Wednesday.  That I don't know how to do.  And I can't go into college to ask teachers.  Because I'M ILL.  I can't even get notes.  This is going well.

4) I can't eat.  You know when you have so much phlegm that you start to throw it up?  Yeah.  The only thing I'm properly keeping down is most possibly the most British thing ever; tea.  I'm really starting to miss solid foods.  And water.  I didn't think I would miss water.  But, here I am.  Missing water.  Missing the food wasn't such a shock.  I miss food even when I'm eating.

So, llamas.  This was my whiny post.  Because that's the mood I'm in.  And you know what they say, misery loves company.

Shenaya xx

P.S. Don't worry, the Internet can't send my germs to you.

P.P.S.  This was a super awkward photo to take.  And I can't remember if I've already posted this.

Heavy Hearts

Hey, llamas!

THIS POST MAY OFFEND OTHERS.  I APOLOGISE IN ADVANCE AS THIS WAS NOT MY INTENTION.  FEEL FREE TO CORRECT ME BUT I WOULD PREFER NO RUDE OR MALICIOUS COMMENTS.

So.  No doubt you've been following all the stuff going on around the world.  Most notably at the moment, Paris.  While this blog's not known for serious matters.  I thought this should be mentioned.

Friday 13th.  Paris was not the only place attacked.  So many people lost their lives.  So many lost loved ones.

And I have one question.  Was it worth it?  Was all that suffering worth 'the cause'?  Because I'm not even sure what 'the cause' is.  I'm not sure I ever knew.  And I feel dirty just thinking about the words "allahu akbar" (I'm so sorry if I spelt that wrong) and it SHOULDN'T be that way, but those words have become something of a 'symbol' (I use that word VERY lightly) to ISIS or ISIL or whatever the fuck they are.  And I may not be Islamic, or have the right to say these things, but I'm pretty sure those words were not meant to be used like that.

Not all Muslims are terrorists.  Are there to hurt people.  My Islamic friends are often the most peaceful people I know.  They don't condone the actions that have happened around the world.  I doubt that most Muslims do.  I saw a statistic somewhere that said there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, 0.03% of these Muslims are terrorists.  If all Muslims wanted everyone dead, we would all be dead.  And did you know that Muslim terror attacks only take up 2% of the world's terrorist plots and actions?

I've heard countless stories of unprovoked attacks on Muslim people (women especially) and I ask "what if you had been attacked simply because of what you wore?  Or the faith you choose (or choose not) to follow?".  You could argue the point that that is exactly what happens when these terrorists attack, but then I have to know, what makes you any better than them?  No, you're not using bombs.  BUT.  You are attacking someone simply because of faith.  Is that not exactly what they are doing?  You are spreading terror into the PEACEFUL parts of the Muslim community.

I have a friend that is strictly atheist and he's not shy about telling people what's wrong with religion.  That doesn't bother me.  I'm Christian but sometimes I agree with him.  BUT what does bother me, is that he says that without religion, we wouldn't have terrorists.  I'm not trying to pick a fight with him.  I know he could probably argue circles around me, I'm talking from the heart spontaneously and he's probably got years of arguments planned out.  So, what am I saying?  I'm saying that I think that's wrong.  We would still have wars and terrorists.  They just wouldn't be carried out in the name of God.  They'd be carried out in the name of freedom or whatever.  So maybe it isn't the religions we should get rid of, maybe we just need to be more tolerant to different ways of life.  That's not really the right way of saying it, but I can't really explain.  Religion can give people something to believe in.  Something to hope in.  So.  This is a quote from a TV programme but I figured it was appropriate, "If you think too hard on anything, you can poke holes in it.  Sometimes you just have to believe and hope" (I may have paraphrased quite a bit - you get the idea).

From reading this, you could say that I have a warped perception of what's been going on, or maybe I'm just downright wrong.  But, this is the way I see it.  Not particularly sophisticated.  Probably not accurate.  But.  From my heavy heart.

Shenaya xx

P.S.  World War I and World War II both started like this.  Am I the only one scared?

Oxford, Oxford Circus and Llama Birthday

Hey, llamas!

So.  Lots of things going on since I last posted.

Remember when I was talking about personal statements and UCAS? Yeah... my personal statement is too long.  And I can't cut it down.  WHO HAS A PERSONAL STATEMENT THAT IS TOO LONG?! Me, apparently.  So, I have to sort this out.

I went to Oxford University to visit Jenna (my awkward moose/midnightteablogs) who's studying at Lincoln College.  We went to see S Club at this AWESOME club that has so many names but everyone calls it Park End.  It was pretty amazing.  I was kinda disappointed at the fact that S Club only did three songs, and they were supposed to do a meet and greet but we didn't get told when/what room (the club had multiple rooms - we were on the Cheese Floor) it would be in - unless you constantly checked Facebook, so we missed it.  But that was okay because we had fun dancing and drinking and eating fries and curry sauce from Hassan's.  Seriously.  YUM.  Those of you in Oxford, if you haven't gone to Hassan's, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!  Anyway, it was great to catch up with Jenna, since I hadn't seen her in about a month and a half (which is long for us, okaaayyy?).

I had to take the Oxford Tube up to Oxford and then back again.  Contrary to people's beliefs, the Oxford Tube is not a tube but a coach.  Yup.  That confused me too.  On my way to Oxford, I couldn't find the bus stop.  I mean why can't they have clearly sign posted bus stops? Noooooo... let's just leave people to flounder.  Then on the way back, neither Jenna nor I could find the bus stop.... Partly because we were on the wrong road..... *Insert embarrassed face*.....  Once I was actually on the coach back to London, there was this little kid, maybe about three or four years old, who was singing at the top of her lungs and was as high pitched as a dog whistle (except I could still hear her).  This makes me sound like I hate kids... and I don't exactly hate them... I don't particularly like them either but imagine that you might be slightly hungover?  Or just really tired?  Aaannnnndddddd yup.

So, yesterday, all my friends came down from uni to see me and each other so we could celebrate my birthday (IT'S TODAY, I'M 19!!!).  We went to this place on Great Portland Street in Oxford Circus called The London Cocktail Club and it's kinda grungy/dive bar-ish but it's pretty cool, and you have to go down these dark stairs to get into the club.  They've got good drinks - even if they are pretty expensive (probably average prices for the middle of London) - but don't go looking for the usual alcohol and mixers, they don't tend do those (well, they have the usual alcohol but they don't so simple drinks).  They don't have a dance floor but they encourage you to dance at your table (if you can find one) and they play mostly old school music from all sorts of genres, so LCC is right up my alley.  I loved it.  And I loved catching up with my friends.  Ahmad wins for coolest, capturing my inner soul essence present.  Sorry, guys.  Shoyab, I was wearing your present so you can't say a word.  But, I have to thank all my friends because you guys are awesome and I've missed you all so much.  And I can't wait for Christmas when you're back here, and saving me from Krupa.  Joking.  Probably.

Here's some photos:

Oxford:

Birthday Celebration:

And when my photo of the awesomest present ever actually uploads (curse you, Apple), I will show the llamas of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or, you know, you guys.

So, llamas, that's pretty much been my week.  How about yours?

Shenaya xx

What do I do with myself?

'Sup, llamas!!

Howz yooz doin'?  *to be read in a bad New York Bronx accent* (by that I mean my bad accent - I tend to either sound Irish, Scottish or Australian....)

So.  I trust that my follower llamas are all well?  If not, I'm sorry to hear that and please read this because I find that this can help with a lot of situations.....  (I once again turn to my trusty, fellow crazy people from Buzzfeed).

Anyway, title.  Well.  Nothing explicit if that's what you're thinking, my dirty minded little llamas.  I've got no work and I AM BORED OUT OF MY MIND.  However, it has given me a chance to binge watch Netflix, do some UCAS stuff and become a chew toy for Raffi.

Let's start with Raffi.  He's getting his adult teeth in (did I mention this before? I can't remember) so he's really, really chewy - add in that he's puppy hyper anyway AAAAANNNNNNDDDDDDDDD we get injured in the process.

Although, we did take him for a group walk with others of his breed and the breeder we got him from and some of his uncles and he's already nearly as big as them... and he was so excited!! So were we until we got into hour one and a half, we then realised that we weren't even half way - we were told it would be a leisurely amble for about two hours.  It was two and a half hours UP HILL and it was not leisurely.  Or an amble.  I was having flashbacks to Duke of Edinburgh Award... SO MUCH WOODLAND, WHERE IS CIVILISATION?!  Those of you that either went with me on D of E or have heard the stories know my pain.  Oh!! And did I mention that RAFFI IS A PAEDOPHILE.  There were a couple of 9 week old puppies there - Raffi is 18 weeks - and one unfortunate little girl was being humped.  By none other than - you guessed it - Raffi.  Eugh.  He has a thing about small female dogs.  It's becoming a little bit of a problem considering Raffi is now 16.6kg....

Anyway, back to keeping myself occupied.  UCAS.  IT IS SO BLOODY CONFUSING.  I mean really.  It should not be this hard to apply to university.  Just trying to fill in this stupid thing is making me consider going straight into an apprenticeship or work.  I mean, HOW MANY VARIATIONS OF THE SAME QUALIFICATION CAN YOU HAVE?!  I mean.. GCSEs.  Simple, right? WRONG.  Did you know that there are different types of GCSEs and then there are subcategories within categories? Because I didn't.  And you can't just fill in "BTEC" and then the subject and level - nooooOOOOOOooooo, that makes it too easy... let's make people fill in each unit they did or will do and their grades as well.  Thanks, UCAS.  Thanks so much.  I am having so much fun.  Can you tell?

On the plus side, my personal statement is gonna be bangin'.  Did I use that in the right context?  I ain't no roadman, aight?  Okay, I'm stopping now.  I apologise to my follower llamas, especially Shoyab, because I can just see your cringe face in my head.

Soooo....Netflix.  The internet temple for anyone who binge watches shows, likes movies, and is basically too lazy to shower, get out of bed and can fester in their stink for anywhere from two days to a week (okay, I need to clarify that I DO NOT do this, or at least, will not admit to it).  It's also where the term "Netflix and Chill" came from and I can safely say that I have never done that unless sitting alone and chilling with my teddy bear while watching New Girl counts.  No.  I do not try to have whatever you do for the "chill" part with my teddy bear *shudders at the thought of what that means*.

Well, what am I watching on Netflix at the moment?  You see, I have a way of streaming the US Netflix (and other countries) to the UK - specifically to my laptop. I tend to use the US version (or the Canadian version because they had Young Justice and I'm a superhero nerd) just because they have a wider range of series and movies, not only that, but they release stuff earlier on the US Netflix... The only problem being that I can't watch some movies because they're streamed on DVD.  So.  What am I watching at the moment?  Jane The Virgin.  That's what I'm watching.  It's kinda like a mock telenovela.  Probably more for the girls - which I don't usually say when it comes to my TV programmes and movies - but it has some good humour in it and I just have to say to the girls out there... Google "Justin Baldoni" and then look at those abs.  Seriously.  I do not often say that abs are lickable.. BUT.  Oh and did I mention he's a DILF.  Yeah.  So definitely a programme I would recommend.  Oh!! And I mean, if you want some classic science fiction - FIREFLY IS BAE.  I mean, you can't get much better than Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds.  Don't judge me.  It's definitely more old school so the CGI and visual effects aren't as good but there's humour, fighting, a little bit of romance and well, aliens.  It's a cult.  Do not mess with the Firefly family.  Seriously.  We have connections.  I think.  Probably.  Maybe.  Just don't mess with us.

I think that's enough of my ramblings for today.  So, stay safe llamas.

Shenaya xx

P.S. if you want US Netflix - on Google Chrome, go to settings, extensions, get more extensions, and then search "Hola" or "Hola Better Internet" and install it.   It's a good site, so don't worry about viruses or anything - yes, you're taking advice from a strange 18 (nearly 19) year old girl (woman) on the internet.