'The' New Year Post.

I'm a self-confessed addict to those inspirational quotes on you find on Pinterest, it just simply cannot be helped. In fact I have a board on there dedicated to them. As a new year is approaching I thought it would be fitting to look for some really cheesy but somewhat inspiring quotes and put them all in one post for you to mull over... Although I don't necessarily have new years resolutions, (I'm not sure they really work that well for me), but I do have aims for next year and things that I would like to achieve.

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What I really wanted to get across in this post, other than some incredibly cheesy quotes and pictures, was that your life is your life, make of it what you can and will. From my experience I can tell you that almost anything is possible if you work hard, you can succeed at whatever it is, it may take time, but you'll get there eventually. Believe in yourself! I also wanted to stress how I would love to have some new experiences in 2015; go somewhere new, do something different. These little things build up the person that we are and memories are so special and important to our lives. Happy New Year!

Looking Back, New-found Confidence and Radio 1's Academy.

I can already feel that this post is going to be somewhat cheesy but I'm getting back into the blogging spirit and a few experiences lately have made me 'look back'. For the past week I have been participating in the Radio 1 Academy as it came to Norwich ahead of the Big Weekend. This has seriously been such an amazing experience, especially for somebody such as myself who loves everything to do with media and the industry. 

The week involved Q&A's with the top BBC bosses, Radio 1 DJ's and internet stars, as well as various workshops to get stuck into. I have to say that sitting in front of Greg James whilst he broadcasts live on Radio 1 is a surreal experience which I was lucky enough to do twice! What I have learnt from this week however, is that I really need to grab every opportunity that I can and get enough experience as possible in order to succeed. It also showed me that no matter how many qualifications you have, experience is the key to doing well, as well as sheer determination and hard work! I have during the course of this week secured myself an interview with a local Radio station which is pretty exciting, as well as deciding to start working on the student radio Livewire in September. I just feel very excited for the future and inspiring events such as these really help you to see what you could be capable of if you just give yourself the chance.

I'm not sure what's changed or happened within the past six months that has increased my confidence so much. I guess starting university and being in the show Hairspray have definitely played a role, both challenging me - but in the best possible way! I may have finished uni for the year (already!) but I'm determined for this summer to be super productive and as much fun as possible, I'm happy and it's such a great feeling. I'm more determined than ever to do my best and prove people wrong who have doubted me before, yes I can do what I've set my sights on. It will take a lot of work, but I'm prepared to do that because for me, it's worth it.

I know that people are currently taking their GCSE's and believe me, I do not envy you one bit. The pressure and stress you're under at the moment sucks but if things don't go to plan, something even better will happen. I only passed one of my five GCSE's (English) yet I've somehow made it to University. These things are possible! 

It feels good to be writing again, I've re-arranged my blog a bit so I hope you like it, not quite up to the standards of Britain's best bloggers I'm sure - but it'll do. I would really appreciate some feedback on what people would like to read about so be sure to let me know if there's anything you want me to write about. Until next time!

Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

Yesterday I made spontaneous plans to go to the cinema and watch the new Night at the Museum film with a few others. I'll admit that I was apprehensive as to whether I would enjoy myself before it started, however I was very pleasantly surprised by the end. Funnily enough I haven't watched the first and second film of the franchise but did know the overall gist of the story which is that at night, the animals and people within the museum come to life. I have never written a 'review' of a film before but thought that I would just share my opinions of it and whether I would recommend it. 

This film centres around a 'magic tablet' which is ultimately what allows the museum to come to life at night time, due to a pharaoh in Egypt who had it made for his son in order for his family to always be together, despite their deaths. Larry (Ben Stiller) the security guard takes charge of finding a way of fixing the tablet when it begins to deteriorate, leading to the museum exhibitions feeling worse across the duration of the film. Eventually he takes his son Ricky along with the exhibitions to a different museum and awakes the pharaoh, using the tablet, who knows the answer to fixing the magic tablet and enabling the exhibitions to continue coming to life. Of course, there are obstacles placed along the journey which builds the storyline around Larry and each of the exhibitions.

That is what I enjoyed most about the film, the way in which the exhibitions are in fact central characters that play an active role as a group alongside Larry and his son. I don't want to give the whole storyline away in this post because that kind of defeats the object of me recommending it as a film for you to go and watch... You also feel a connection with history whilst watching also which is something that you don't always get when watching a 21st century new release. My favourite museum character has to be Teddy (Robin Williams) just because of his lovely nature and his relationship with Larry. He seems to be the leader of the group, aside from Larry, as he often advices him along their way and is wise perhaps due to his age in comparison to the others. It was of course really lovely to see that the film was 'for' Robin Williams, displayed during the end credits. Ricky Gervais' character was well played and funny although not present too often throughout the film whilst Pitch Perfect's Fat Amy as the other museum's security guard was a stroke of genius - hilarious!

I would definitely recommend this film to anyone of any age really as it is full of action, humour and adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone. Like I said it doesn't seem to matter that I haven't seen the previous films also, allow this release has made me want to go back and watch them! The sad thing is that this is the last film of the franchise, or that's what the ending suggested anyway. All in all a brilliant film that should please the whole family!