Sunday Catch-Up #2

So, it's been two weeks since my last blog post. I took a proper break from it for a while in the run up to my two exams this week but they're over now and I'm back and blogging :)

Other than revision, there are only two events worth mentioning this week...

Tuesday 24th January - Wakefield Mayor's Awards :)
One of my English teachers from last year, Jonathan, nominated me for this. I won a Community Silver award for the work I do with the Amnesty group, college magazine and the charity fundraising I've done in college. It was a lovely night and the stories of some of the 'Individual' award winners were so touching. It was so thoughtful of Jonathan to nominate me and did mean a lot. I plan on finding him this week to thank him. I also thought it was very appropriate that Wakefield's coat of arms (seen in the photo) was on display everywhere and the motto was ''persevere and prosper'' considering some of the stories we heard. 



Saturday 28th January - Jess' 18th Party :)
It was my lovely friend Jess' 18th birthday on Thursday and she had a rather large house party ;) small gathering at her house last night to celebrate. Below are a few photos... But, firstly, a few highlights: Sophie deciding she needed to slide off the sofa and onto the floor; Matt wondering if he might have put his pizza into his pocket; the great language debate held by a bunch of languages students. 

Besos ♥
Rachel    

Party day :)

I really don't have time to blog tonight, but I fear that if I don't, it'll be next Sunday before I find the time. Last night was my 18th party and it was such a good night. Well, excluding the fact that one of my 'friends' tried to abduct another of my friends...and the fact that it all ended with the fire alarm randomly starting up and refusing to go off. Other than that? All good :)

There are so many random, little things that stood out for me - Poppy's 'purple shoes' drawing; Jess' ridiculously wonderful gift box (seriously, talk about being good at buying presents for people) and the sweet message she wrote for me; Amy and George's protectiveness when two randomers showed up; Amy's reaction to the 'friend' and his...antics...; Danny, Eliza and Amy's song dedications (couldn't have been more random); and many more things. Jade definitely won the award for the most energetic dancing, followed closely by my auntie - they even danced together at one point, and Jess turned to me and went ''who are we dancing with?"

Some pictures...

Stolen from Jess. L to R - Keyana, Poppy, Natalie, Katie, Sarah, Eliza, me, Rachel, Amy, Jess, Jade, Sophie, Joe

Stolen from Jess (and not as posed as it looks). L to R - Rachel, me, Jade, Sophie

Cake + balloons

The relatives rather enjoying themselves

The cake

The only decent picture of Rachel, myself, and Fern. Luckily, quite a nice one too.

Myself and Jess

And now I really must return to my world of Psychology revision, surprise Spanish research and feeling rubbish because it's over. Ha. 

Thank you to everybody (almost everybody...) who came. You really have no idea quite how much it meant to have my best friends and family all in one room. All of the stress over planning, prising people away from people they shouldn't have been touching and near fire was absolutely worth it to see everybody smiling and just enjoying themselves - so thank you, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did ♥

Besos ♥ 
Rachel

30 Days

Today marks 30 days, roughly a month, until I get to see a friend I haven't seen in about 4 years. Am I excited? YES!

It has been WAY too long since moments like this (see pic). My very first blog post was about her and how our friendship came to be. To sum up our friendship perfectly, here's a quote from that post:
"We left a strange boy from our class on top of her climbing frame at a party once, but I think we can be forgiven considering he always claimed he was from Mars..."

We really did just become best friends the moment we met. Her, her mum, and her little sister Gemma visited my primary school for the day because they were moving up to Yorkshire soon and were looking at potential schools for Rachel (and eventually, Gemma). We played together all lunchtime and then I remember just hoping she'd join our school for months until she finally did - and that was it, the start of a beautiful friendship :) :P

She moved to Melton Mowbray in 2003/2004 and we visited each other's houses whenever we could, and then in high school we kind of drifted. Then, last year, she was having a really rough time with some problems that were going on and we ended up talking (one of the few good things about Facebook) and she sent me the sweetest message anybody has ever sent me. And yeah, I cried a little a lot. Haha.

I never really get excited about anything. But this? I'm already counting down until the morning TV duo (don't even ask...), name twins and bad influences (on each other) are reunited. Aren't birthdays the best?

Besos ♥ 
Rachel 

If I'd had access to Facebook today...

...my status updates may have read a little like this...

Rachel is leaving the house way too early. 
Rachel has a late breakfast of pain au chocolat. Mmm. 
Rachel is en route to Whitby. 
Rachel is having lunch in a pay and display car park. We haven't paid or displayed. Ssssh.
Rachel is blasting Josh Groban in an attempt to wake up after two hours stuck in the back of the Alfa.
Rachel just passed 'land prohibited by the Official Secrets Act' - very intrigued.
Rachel is currently in Sleights. There is nothing in Sleights.
Rachel is now listening to 'Remember When it Rained', very appropriate.
Rachel has made it to Whitby, apparently we need to look out for 'Draclier'...
Rachel has now seen Draclier, is seeing lots of hills here...doesn't like hills.
Rachel is seeing grey, lots of grey. Tooooo much grey.
Rachel is discovering that Whitby has lots of streets.
Rachel is sitting next to eggy water. Lovely.
Rachel went to Whitby and came back with a £2.99 Italian dictionary for beginners. As you do.
Rachel is back in Sleights. There is still nothing in Sleights.
Rachel forgot to mention her gorgeous ice cream that was vanilla toffee almond.
Rachel and the Crosses are loving the fog...
Rachel is listening to Croatian music because obviously the weather here challenges that of Croatia.
Rachel will be Googling the Official Secrets Act upon returning home.
Rachel is being told to look at moo cows.
Rachel is in Malton. Yawn.
Rachel is sleepy.
Rachel is dozing and listening to the gentle tones of Camila.
Rachel has finally arrived home and has 30 minutes to make herself look human again and leave for Jude's tea party.
Rachel and the family (plus Jane) are having a fascinating discussion about bodily functions...at a party...while eating.
Rachel is headed home with Jane.
Rachel is still sleepy but is somehow managing to write a blog. She says...


Besos ♥ 
Rachel