101 in 1,001 Update.

So I am now 6 months in and thought it was about time I had a look at my 101 in 1,001 list to see how I am getting on.

I have completed 9 of the tasks, and am currently working on a further 12.

So far, I haven’t paid too much of a conscious effort to trying to start new projects, but have possibly tried harder at certain things in order to be able to tick something off.

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So next up on the list…

* Make a budget and stick to it for 2 months – If I am going to go ahead with this crazy TEFL & travel plan, I need to start saving some money and this seems like a good place to start!

* Do the 30 items of clothing for 30 days challenge – Or at least start considering which 30 items would be sensible here!

* Read 20 books off the World Book Night’s List – Linked to picking up the pace with reading 100 books, I am going to check out this list and get a book!

* Get 100+ followers on my blog – I’m going to carry on commenting, interacting and reading new and old blogs. On this note, a big hello and shout out to my new followers of the past few weeks!

What are your current goals? Have you ever completed a 101 in 1,001 list – how were you getting on 6 months in?

❤

Sophie

The Hunger Games.

I have finally caught up with the rest of the world and started reading The Hunger Games. It’s worked out quite well really, because it fits in with my 101 in 1,001 reading challenge, and is also one of the WBN’s Top 100 books.

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Anyway, I only really read it to check out what all the hype was about, and didn’t think I’d enjoy it as I don’t really enjoy stories that aren’t real (Harry Potter being the obvious exception here!), but I LOVED IT! Seriously, I can’t remember the last time I read a whole book in a weekend and literally couldn’t put it down. I have ordered the second book, and it is literally too difficult to wait for it to arrive – I am wishing I had just downloaded the Kindle edition!

I don’t want to babble on about the story line for fear of a) boring those of you that have already read it, or b) spoiling it for those of you who still NEED to read it (!!), but it was extremely well written and full of suspense. Suzanne Collins clearly has an amazing imagination!

In short, I think the book takes a really interesting idea that is so ‘out there’ that as a population nowadays, we cannot help but be completely fascinated by it. Collins combines it with sub-plots of friendship, love and the questionning of what we would do if we were in that situation, and causes you to be completely hooked.

Now if only I could speed up the postman so i could make a start on the 2nd one!

What did you think of The Hunger Games?

❤

Sophie

Blogger Fun! Part 1.

So a little while ago now (oops!) John tagged me in the fun post and asked me to play along in a little ‘get to know you’ type game!

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them

Okay, 11 random things about myself, here we go….

1. When I was a kid I used to have a pet barn owl called Willow. We used to let her out to fly at night and one day she just didn’t come back in the morning 😦 😦 Other than that I’ve had gerbils, stick insects, a springer spaniel, and now Maisie and my fishcakes (that’s my goldfish to normal people!)

2. The kids at school really make me laugh sometimes at their misunderstanding of the English language. For example – getting mixed up between sarcasm and circumcision, or between forehead and foreskin?!

3. I love to read. I really want to vary my tastes a little more and complete the World Book Night 2012, but it’s happening very slowly because I am always so busy at school, and get so tired that reading before I go to bed is normally the last thing on my mind!

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4. When I was little, my Mum used to work for a large ferry company, and as a result we always went to France and Spain on holiday. I never flew a substantial distance until I went to South Africa when I was about 14. I wasn’t scared then, but have since developed a fear of taking off and landing in Planes.

5. My standard Sunday morning routine is to get up and read Postsecret with a cup of tea. I have always wanted to send in a secret but have yet to decide on one/actually get round to it.

6.  Following on from number 3, I really want to write a book. I’ve been thinking about it quite a lot lately – I’d like to record my experiences of living in a boarding house full of international students because not only do we have a lot of fun, but some of things they come out with are absolutely hilarious! I just haven’t quite come up with the right ‘stance’ or worke dout how to go about it yet!

7. One of my favourite things to do at the weekends is walk down to Lounge Seco with my Mum and Maisie and have some brunch. Egg and bacon stack nom nom nom!

8. If I were to go on Mastermind, my specialist subject would be Harry Potter. Despite never blogging about it, I love those books! I normally can’t get to grips with books/films about things that aren’t ‘real’, but let’s be honest, how cool would it be to be a wizard?!

9. I love tea and hot chocolate, but I can’t stand coffee. I detest everything about it – the smell, the taste – I can’t even eat coffee flavoured chocolates!! :O I’ve tried, really I have! Mochas, lattes, your standard builders coffee?!! I just can’t do it!

10. When I was little, I always used to go round to my Grandparents for tea on Fridays. After dinner, I would sneak in the the living room and play cards with my Grandad – he taught me to play rummy. He obviously used to let me cheat, but I used to think I was so clever ‘pulling the wool over his eyes’ and winning every week!

11. It has taken me literally days to write this post because I couldn’t think of 11 even slightly interesting things about myself! Does that make me a loser?! Probably. Does this count as a fact? Probably not, but hey, it’s my blog…!

Part 2 (the question & answer sesh) coming tomorrow!

❤

Sophie

Last Week.

Wowzer, it’s been another busy week at school. Students are getting that ‘nearly the holidays’ feeling and are starting to cause problems – lying, suspensions, fighting. Nightmare!

The other night I was helping an Israeli boy with his prep though, and he told me that I was going to make a great teacher. It’s the little things like that that get me through the day!

And today I have been offered the chance to stay on next year should I wish to do so, which is a huge relief because between you and me I was starting to freak out a little!

Night off tonight, so time for some supper, hit the gym, and then settle down wth my book for an early night. I’m reading ‘One Day’ at the moment – has anyone read it? I love it, but it is taking me months (literally!) to get through because I’m always too tired to read in the evening (sadface!)

How’s your week going?

❤

Sophie

On Books.

I don’t mention it on here very often (or at all!) but I love to read.

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I always have done, but since starting the new job I haven’t really had much free time.

So I am setting myself a little (read: massive!) challenge. I was stumbling the other day, and came across this webpage. For world book night next year, a list of the top 100 books is being compiled. I am going to do my best to start trawling my way through them, and keeping you guys updated!

Anyone want to join me?

I have read 7 of them so far…this is going to be big!

Bring it on 🙂

❤

Sophie.