My Big Plan

I've always been a very ambitious person.

I know that to get what I want I have to try very hard but deep down I know that no matter how long it takes, I'll get there. Journalism is one of the toughest areas of work to get into, but I have no doubt in my mind that one day I'll be the editor of a top magazine.

Since leaving university, many people have asked me why I've not thought about setting up my own magazine. The truth is, I have. A lot. But I've always dismissed the idea. Why would I set up my own magazine when I can get a job working for Cosmopolitan, Company or More! magazine? Why would I waste so much money on something that probably wouldn't be successful? I mean, it's so hard. I know first hand how much effort goes into a magazine, I could never do that. For starters I really don't know much about current affairs and although I keep somewhat up to date on the life of celebrities, I couldn't give a monkeys arse about how Tulisa's leaked sex tape taught us more about her blow job skills then we'd like to know. Sure, it's interesting ish. But it doesn't really effect me, does it? So why would I care? Secondly, I really don't know much about InDesign or creating my own website or even printing costs. I simply wouldn't be able to do it.

Except as I've received job rejection after job rejection (well, actually, just silence since no one bothers to get back to you unless you've gotten the job), I've indulged in the idea. Suddenly I'm thinking what if I set up my own magazine? What if I get off my bum and learn the skills I need to do it? Who cares if I'm not interested in celebrities, from what I've heard most women would like to read about real inspiring women anyway. And yknow what? I bet other editors have been in my position too. Everyone has to start somewhere. I'm starting here.

This might be my only blog regarding this issue for a long, long time. Or I might be blogging with more progress next week. But I've decided, it's happening. My general plan is to get myself onto a course that will teach me Indesign or website design. Then my blog will turn into either a website and then a magazine, or just straight into a magazine. Or I'll even publish my magazine online. Who knows.

I do know however that I'll be blogging along the way. I have NO idea where to start and I bet YOU might be someone in my position too, reading this as soon as I publish this post or even in five years time. I bet you might want to set up your own magazine too, but don't know where to start. Overwhelmed with how much you need to research? Worried about how exactly this is going to fit in with you making a living? Wishing you had someone you could ask EVERYTHING to, or just a definitive guide that includes even the smallest issues like er is it acceptable to flirt with any good looking men you have to interview? Yeah, me too, I hear you sister.

This is my account from the very beginning, from the moment I've decided its going to happen to the very moment it does.

Taking Chances

So I'm wide awake at 3am with so many things on my mind and so many things to write about. I figured this would be the best place to post my current ramblings ;)

So far, 2012 is looking to be an amazing year. I said I'd make changes and I did. I saw the year in by celebrating in the best way possible, and since then I've kept so positive that I can't even remember the last time I was genuinely unhappy. I decided to put myself and my happiness first this year (which to be honest I decide to try and do every year anyway) and so far so good! I also decided to take a leaf out of 17 year old Louise's book and give this whole 'saying yes to everything/taking chances' thing a go. The last time I did this was in 2007 and I recently read an old blog that I ran during this year and quite clearly it was one of the best years of my life. I had an amazing social life, I finally had the hang of dating boys (my god the stuff I got up to!) and just generally had fun. So that's what I'm doing again this year.

I celebrated NYE in Paris. I visited Sunderland again last month. I tried paintballing the weekend before last, and the week after next I'm starting snowboarding lessons. I've been out with old friends I haven't seen in ages and going out with new friends too. I've cut the ex pretty much completely out of my life (although he still continues to leave me anonymous blog comments?) and I'm dating again which is a lot of fun! I don't have a job yet but I am still looking. I've lost weight too, which I'm extremely pleased about and I've still got loads more of 2012 to look forward to. 

I'm really pleased at the way things are going right now. I know it won't be long until something comes along and fucks everything up BUT I've definitely learnt that life is what you make of it. By taking chances and saying yes to things you wouldn't normally, you open your life up to so many great opportunities. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone is definitely my 'thing' of 2012 and I've found that even if I don't have a great time (which so far I always have luckily), I'm still happy to have at least taken the chance to try it so it's a win-win situation. 

Here's to taking chances :)

Visiting Sunderland

Back in February I visited Sunderland which is where I studied at university for three years. This was the first time going back since July last year and also the first time seeing two of my close uni friends for so long. We'd discussed making the trip for months beforehand, I hadn't seen my friend Jo for over a year as she'd taken a gap year in France, and I hadn't seen my other friend Becky since graduation. We made sure to coincide our visit with the towns biggest pub crawls, going on pub crawls being some of our favourite memories from being students.

Becky is originally from London so we both got the same coach up, me hopping on at Milton Keynes. We immediately launched into gossip about men, as usual. After a long six hour coach ride we arrived in Sunderland and I cannot tell you how weird it felt to be back.

I had some of the best years of my life in this town. My student days had their ups and downs but it was definitely an experience. Upon graduating I pretty much had come to hate the town. It was only when I stepped foot off that coach that I realized that in fact I missed it more than I had ever imagined.

The pub crawl was amazing. We felt a bit old in that it was mostly filled with 18 year old freshers but it was still so much fun. It was so good going to all the bars I used to drink in, dancing to all the songs I remember from being a fresher myself and just generally having a good time. The theme was nurses and doctors and I think we customized our outfits well - I even made my own paper hat!

Argile refers to someone I've been texting/was texting at the time (in all honesty I'm not quite sure what's going on, I don't think we're talking at the moment after he accidently offended my downstairs ha) and it was one of those nights where you just knew something was going to happen as we'd been talking constantly and were both out that night. I used to work with him but obviously nothing ever happened because I was with my ex when I worked with him. Anyway my friend knew we were texting and insisted on writing this on the back of my t-shirt! Myself and 'Argile' later ended up making out for about two hours straight, ha.

This is me and Jo in the amazing hot dog joint they had in one of the clubs. I was absolutely amazed at this fact.

I am all class...

Me and Jo eating ice cream..this is really just to prove that I didn't go up there and just spend the whole time getting drunk!

And finally the state of Jo's room by the last day!

All in all it was one of the best weekends ever. It was so nice seeing the girls and having a catch up. Even though we talk all the time it was just a nice change to have some food, watch a movie and just spend actual time with them in person. I bumped into my ex whilst there as well and this made me feel really weird, which I hadn't expected to have felt. I pretty much spent the last half of last year going through the motions with him - from being together to breaking up, missing each other, hating each other, arguing constantly and finally to nothing. It was so weird seeing him in person for the first time in so long as well. The last time I saw him was before I moved down south, we both cried and hugged each other, saying 'I love you'. Then when I saw him again it was like we were strangers! I always knew it would be weird though but I was glad I had the chance to say hello. It wouldn't of felt right going back up to Sunderland where he was once such a significant part of my life and not seeing him.

Me and the girls usually do the St Paddy's Day pub crawl for Becky's birthday as well but as we're all skint I think we're giving that one a miss this year and going to Amsterdam next month instead. Besides, I'm hoping we go up again for the Halloween pub crawl!

Oh and of course I can't not mention some of the hilarious quotes/inside jokes from the weekend -

'Pre menstural singletons'!

'Fit as chips!'

'Pick up my stethoscope - now'!

The 'single man in a club' pose!

Becky nicking some of some poor blokes beer which he left with us for safe keeping

The random loner in the hot dog joint that sat with us in deep conversation for a good half an hour

Jo deciding she no longer likes 'Dedication to my ex' after hearing the real version of the song

Green liptstick

'Do me..I'm not a slug btw!'

Poor Dumbo getting sweet and sour sauce on his hat!

Other than Paris, this weekend has also been one of my favourite weekends of 2012 :)