My Top 18 in 2018

How bloody quickly has 2018 whizzed by?! People would always say that time speeds up as you get older, but being a child and hearing that, you think it is utter nonsense. However, it's nothing but the truth. Time just ticks on by, and before you know it, it's the end of the day, week, month.. It's crazy. After reading through Caroline's blog post, on the "Top 18 in 2018", I felt inspired to write my own version and reflect on all the good that came from 2018. Thank-you Caroline, for the inspiration! 

1. Finishing University

2018 will forever and always be the year that I finished university. I met all the deadlines, finished all the exams, and deflected all the stress. It will definitely be an achievement that stands out for me regardless. 

2. Graduation

Essentially, the same as the first point, but I had the best graduation. It filled me with warmth to share the whole day with my favourite people, celebrating what I had achieved on my own accord. One of my happiest memories to date. 

3. New York

How could this trip not make the top 18?!? I had the most incredible time. It's a place that I absolutely adore, and Dad went over and beyond to make it such a special trip. 

4. The Lion King

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love Disney films - nothing can beat a cosy, drizzly evening in, sat on the sofa, watching a Disney film. Finding Nemo, Up, Frozen - anything. They're some of the greatest feel good films in my opinion. Seeing The Lion King in theatre was amazing. The attention to details, the songs, the choreography and the cast were outstanding. Bring on the live action film next year!!

5. Edinburgh

I love the city of Edinburgh, and to see it in all it's glory at Christmas time was the best! 

6. Moving Home

A weird one, but let me explain. Leaving university and moving back home is a big step for anyone. It definitely takes some getting used too, in more ways than one. But I felt happy leaving Plymouth for home. In a bizarre way, it felt like a big chapter of my life was closing whilst another was only just opening. That, and leaving behind the weird flatmates!

7. Christmas

This has been the first Christmas in 3 years that I have spent the entirety of it being at home, without having to live out of a suitcase and dread the long trip back to uni. The whole festive season was such a happy time, and one of my favourite ever.

8. London

I have been lucky enough to have a handful of trips up to London this year. One for my birthday, and one to watch the fireworks and New Years. Both trips were filled to the brim with activities and sight seeing - my favourite.

9. 22nd Birthday

The only 22nd birthday I will have, and it was celebrated with my favourite people at the cutest of cocktail bars/restaurants! If any of you live in the Bristol area, or not, you must visit The Florist. The botanical theme is so pretty!

10. Car

Finally being able to have my little car has definitely been a highlight for me. Living in the middle of nowhere can be difficult at times, and it's so nice being able to fully rely on myself. 

11. Harry Potter Studios
Visiting the Harry Potter studios was such fun! It definitely makes the whole of Harry Potter, whether it be the books or the films feel more magical. It's even better that ITV2 are showing each Harry Potter film every evening this week, and last!

12. Friends
A lot of my close friends turned 21 this year (there were other birthdays as well of course), and it was lovely to be able to celebrate with them however they had planned too.

13. Music Concerts
Dad took me to see Journey and Def Lepard whilst we were in New York at Madison Square Gardens and it was incredible! I have attended a fair few other gigs with my Dad, and it's always a good night. I really do enjoy going to see live music, and last year, more gigs and concerts were booked for this year. Keep your eyes peeled!

14. Little Adventures
Visiting National Trust grounds, or just going for little walks was something that I did a lot of in 2018, and that's something I for sure want to carry on with this year.

15. Fitness Routine
2018 was a year that I 100% fully stuck to a routine in regards to eating better for myself (don't get me wrong, I was still eating pizza and ice cream when I fancied) and getting into a routine with running. Not only did it make me feel so much better - getting away from the desk studying, to having some fresh air, but I had so much energy! Something that I am super chuffed about was the routine that I created, and it's one I can't wait to get back into.

16. The Summer Ball 
This was the best way to celebrate the ending of university life. I love to get all dressed up and this was no exception! When everyone's looking and feeling their best, it's always bound to be a good night in my opinion.

17. New Year
I've never really been one to celebrate the passing of the year we've just had, and celebrating the start of the new one upon us. Whether there was a house party that someone from school held was about as far as the celebrations went for me. But this year, New Year was spent in London, to watch the fireworks. Definitely something that I think everyone who has the opportunity to do, must do. It was incredible! After not having seen any fireworks on Bonfire Night this year, the fireworks in London truly made up for that.

18. Carnival
Where I am from, carnival takes place around the end of October until the beginning of November. All the carnival clubs spend the whole year preparing a 'carnival float' that is based on a theme; whatever they choose it to be. When the time for Carnival arrives, each club parade through different streets of different places, showing off their creations with a song on repeat and the people on the float performing their routines. My Dad happens to be a part of one of the local carnival clubs, and so it was nice to see his contributions to the float and to see it at it's final stage. Dad's club came second overall, out of all the entries. Well done Dad!

I'm more than sure there are many more memories and happy moments of 2018, but these are the ones that stand out for me. 2018 was a great year, full of ups and downs. But it was a year of learning that's for sure. So long 2018. 

What was your favourite memory from 2018?

Amber X

A Positive Reflection

Seeing as it's now waaaay over half way through the year (what the hell?), there is no better time to reflect on all the positive and good things that have stuck out from the rest so far. It's so easy to become lost and stuck amongst the negative and bad things that arises for each and every one of us, we almost lose track of all the good and how far we may have come in such a short space of time. It's not all doom and gloom..

January
Welcoming a new year isn't something that I tend to enjoy, and I swear that January this year felt like the longest month ever - or was that just me? That being said, I smashed my January university exams and worked so hard for so long. It truly is the best feeling when your efforts, persistence and patience all come out on top. January also marks the first time I published a blog post, working alongside a brand. How exciting! At the very end of January, my favourite individual came and stayed with me for a couple days at university. It was so lovely to have her down, and to show her all around my second home.

February
I spent a few weekends at home in February and I loved it. Being away from home is something I have never struggled with, not even when I was younger. But there is something so comforting about spending time at home after you've been away for a while. The hard work at uni also continued throughout the month of February, so a little break was very welcomed. I also made the best pancakes for pancake day - yum!

March
SNOW!! We had snow here in the UK and as stressful as it was, it worked out ok in the end. Uni was closed for 3 days... And one of my closest uni friends, who was on placement whilst I was in 3rd year, ventured 8 hours from London to come and see me for the weekend. We braved the snow and had such a lovely time catching up and drinking too much (oops). I also had a reading week in March which meant travelling back home again, and I got to spend some time with my grandparents and my favs from home. I also cut all my hair off in March, something that I was so glad I did. My Dad also came down for a St Patricks Day, we drank Guinness and saw one of his favourite bands, happy days. At the end of the month, I came back home for the Easter holidays.

April
I started the bank holiday weekend in Wiltshire celebrating Rachel's 21st birthday. It was nice to catch up with uni friends we all hadn't seen for a while, and Rachel and I alone drank too much prosecco (not that it's ever a bad thing haha). After 3 weeks of being back home, it was time to go back to uni and start getting my life into order for the last push of my three years studying.

May
May was the most stressful month I have ever had, by far. So SO many deadlines, all of which I met, and I sat my last 2 exams. Uni came to and end in May and it was such a strange feeling. To think something that you've been working towards for three years was finally over, was so bitter sweet. I worked my butt off in May, and I couldn't be prouder of myself for doing so.

June 
The Summer Ball was at the very beginning of June, and Rachel came down and stayed at uni with me for a couple of days. There was no better way of celebrating the end of uni, than the way we did it. So many laughs, so much wine, so much sun and exploring. I was truly on cloud nine. I then travelled home to jet off for a week in New York with my Dad. This trip was my 21st birthday present, but tied in so nicely with the end of university. No better place to celebrate and no one better to go with than my Dad. Towards the end of June, I left my job at uni and came back home to a few job interviews and a new job. June was such a fast paced, but incredible month. One I am not going to forget.

July
And this is where we are all at now. This month I have received my overall degree grade, and my Dad has done the best job with my car, which is now back on the road. I have so many summer plans to look forward too. Just writing this post has made it so clear that there have been so many amazing things that have happened this year so far and we still have the other half to come. However you may be feeling at this moment in time, have a think back to the start of the year, and write down all the things you've overcome and achieved.. trust me, you'll surprise yourself.

What has been your favourite memory of 2018 so far?

Amber X