What am I Afraid of?

Where do I start? I'm afraid of a fair few things, from the irrational such as spiders, to the normal of looking a fool in front of people, but there are a couple which are, I feel, a bit more specific.

Fear of presenting in front of a small group of people I know.

I can present an assembly in front of 600 people, but ask me to do a five minute presentation in front of my class, even if it's only a class of, say, twelve people, and I will freak out. Something about knowing the people makes it all the more difficult, as though they will judge me more. It's hard to describe, because it's not a fear of public speaking, it's more a fear of speaking formally in front of people I know informally, and the fear that they will judge me harshly for it.

Fear of the Future.

I find it very difficult to look beyond the end of my degree. I imagined a future once, but that was shattered when I lost someone very important in my life. I don't want to set those same foundations if they're going to be ripped away from me again. Arguably, that was what did me the most damage in the long run. The future that I had invested so much of myself in could no longer exist, and that is what destroyed me.

Favourite Childhood Book

There is only one answer for this:

Winnie-the-Pooh.

I have loved the books by A.A.Milne since I was very small, I cannot remember a time before them. I was given my first Pooh Bear when I was two days old. I remember a time at primary school where we were asked to memorise a poem, so I chose "Tiddly Pom" and recited it in front of the school. There is just something so innately endearing about the little yellow bear, stuffed with fluff. I love him, and he is a huge part of who I am.

Dream Job

As you know, I am a history student. My dream job would ideally have something to do with this subject, as something I love. I would love to write, research, either fiction or non-fiction. TO be able to inspire and weave words together. The trouble is finding the right subject, and actually continuing it to the end. I made my history teacher a promise that I would dedicate my book to him. I just don't know if it'll ever happen.

My more realistic career plan is to work in a museum, as either a curator or an educational coordinator. The latter would be great, as I enjoy working with children, but I wouldn't want to teach all of the same children all o the time. I wouldn't want to deal with their malicious behaviour because it would ultimately bring me down. But this is a happy medium. I still get to pass on the love of history to a younger generation, but I get to spread that far and wide. 

I want to work with history, I know that. It's just working out the specifics.

Timeline of my Day

This is a tricky one, because I don't have a regular timeline of my day. It's the Summer Holidays now, but even during term time when I'm at work, or if I'm at uni, I do not have a regular timetable for my day. And if I did write it down, it would make me feel rather lazy... But then I have to remind myself that I am still recovering from glandular fever...

Typically, I would wake up between 8:00 and 8:30. I would usually then stay in bed until at least 9:00. After this I would eat breakfast, brush my teeth and get dressed. I'd then spend a couple of hours doing whatever hobby I wanted to do that morning, which could be scrapbooking, knitting, sewing...

At 11:23, and alarm goes off on my phone. I set it to snooze and I have nine minutes to get ready for work: eat a small something, collect my coat, lock up etc. I would then drive to work, usually arriving about 11:45. I would work between 12:00 and 1:00pm, be home by about 1:30 when I have lunch, and then wait until everyone gets home.

Tea is between 6:00 and 8:00, I have a bath or shower at about 9:00, and I'm in bed by about 10:30. Whether or not I got to sleep exactly then or stay up for a bit is variable by my mood.

Very dull, not a lot to talk about... Ah well, hopefully I'll have more interesting days someday.

What is in my Handbag?

If I'd have thought about this in advance, I would probably have taken a picture... But I'm writing this (in advance) four hours before I leave for my holiday and I've already emptied my handbag... So I guess I can just give you a list of the usual suspects:

My Purse, which has inside it all my money and my cards, including my Student ID, my National Trust Membership, my library card etc. I also keep a spare pair of earrings in the coin section.

My phone, which I tuck my driving licence into the pocket of.

An umbrella.

My sunglasses.

A compact mirror.

Red lipstick.

A notebook and pen.

Receipts that are probably several months old.

Sweet wrappers.

A pair of headphones.

There are probably things I have forgotten, but my handbag is rather small, so I can't fit too much junk in it... it seems to still hold an awful lot though!

Favourite Quote

I don't really have a favourite quote. I love the use of words that hold such a deep meaning to them, that spinning of a phrase that is so memorable. Quotes are little tiny pieces of other people that we can relate to, wrapped up beautifully by a combination of letters. I don't have a favourite because they're all used for different reasons.

I have quotes which make me laugh, quotes which give me hope. I've found quotes that sum up pieces of my personality into words I hadn't even thought of yet to describe it. I have quotes that have given me advice, quotes which give me strength through school, exams, through my long distance relationship. 

I have quotes from characters in books that I love that bring me joy for the story as I remember them, those places where you read them and your heart swells with pride, and possibly even make your eyes well up with tears.

Words and quotes are such powerful things, how can I pick one?

But seeing as this requires me to, my favourite quote is not from a book, a film, a song, or anyone famous at all. It's from my Dad. He used to say this all the time, and it's stuck with me through the years:

"If you can't do anything about it, stop worrying. If you can do something, go do it."

If I Won the Lottery...

...I would probably be very boring and keep it away for a rainy day. I've got a lot ahead of me in the future, that sort of money would be useful when buying a house, or even if I ever had a wedding, or even further in the future, wanted to send my children to good schools.

Goodness that's a scary thought... children.

I'm not saying I wouldn't do anything with it. I'd want to pay off my student debt, maybe treat myself to a few nice things: some craft stuff or a really nice piece of jewelry perhaps. Maybe a holiday or two - I''ve alwasy wanted to see a fair few of the capitals in Europe, perhaps a roadtrip round there or something? But I wouldn't get rid of it all that quickly. I'm hoping to have a long life ahead of me, I still need to work for my living, but that would be a nice cushion to fall back on.

Most Proud Moment

I know a lot of my life is academics orientated, and I'm afraid this is going to be the same. I was proud of what I achieved in my Upper Sixth, and that day last August when the email came through from York was the best feeling in the world. I had achieved my dream of nearly ten years in the making.

Similarly, I returned to my school in October for our Speech Day where all of the awards are handed out. I was awarded the prize for Endeavour, or, triumph in the face of adversity. It was an acknowledgement of the struggles I'd had to reach my goal, my mental state, switching schools. Holding that plate in my hands was a tangible reminder that I had overcome so much and gotten so far. That all of the tears were worth it. That, not everyone had suffered the way I did, yet I had still managed to succeed. 

It was proof of how strong I had become, without even realising it.

First Celebrity Crush?

Celebrities really aren't my thing. I find them dull. If I do form an attachment, it's usually to a character. In which case, this would have to be Fred Weasley.

I don't remember exactly what it was that drew me to Fred and not George (although Oliver Wood was in close third place). I don't know if it was the glamour of quidditch, or the appeal of a ginger, or just someone a little bit cheeky to counter balance my prim-ness, but I remember distinctly, at a fairly young age, wanting to have a Fred Weasley in my life.

However, I can vouch or the saying: 'be careful what you wish for'. At university, I met someone who very closely resembled Fred both physically and personality wise. It was not a good mix. We did a couple of group projects together and he drove me insane. He never did any of the reading, I did all of the work, it was infuriating. The only thing we really had in common, besides our chosen subject, was our share in sarcastic humour. Which, when not working, was indeed quite fun to have someone to bounce off.

So perhaps it was the humour in Fred Weasley I found most attractive, as it was the trait I was most likely to like,

Piercings or Tattoos?

I am very dull. I just have my earlobes pierced. I can have one earring in each ear. I usually stick to studs, but I have been known to have some longer ones occasionally.

Funny story though, when I had them done, the lady used a device like a stapler. she drew a cross on each ear and then stapled my left ear first, then my right ear. I actually went into shock and nearly passed out...

Great excuse to eat a bar of chocolate though!

In the wise words of Remus Lupin:

*gesturing at the chocolate*

"Eat. You'll feel better."

An Old Photo of Me

I have an embarrassing picture circa 2010....

I wore that hat or all four DofE expeditions I trudged my way through...

Perhaps you'll get some earlier ones at another time...

10 Favourite Foods

Only ten?! In no particular order:

1) Chocolate - all versions. Liquid, dark, white, milk, caramel - mint is a particular favourite...

2) Pasta bake with bacon and mushrooms.

3)Spinach.

4) Garlic bread.

5) A humble egg sandwich.

6) Bacon.

7) Roast beef with Yorkshire puddings.

8) Blackberry crumble.

9) Puff pastry anything.

10) Bread and cheese, good cheese, like brie... and crusty bread...

Three Personality Traits that I am Proud Of

I had to do a task where I chose six of these a few weeks ago, here are the three I like the most:

Driven

I have goals. Ever since the age of ten I knew that I wanted to be at university. That's nearly half of my  life. I knew I wanted to be academic, that I would need it to get to university, so I made sure I got the best education I could. If I wanted to try something new, I would go and do it. I taught myself to knit,not because someone suggested it but because I wanted it. Targets are a key part in my life, and I don't see that changing.

Hard-working

This follows on from driven, and in order to get to where I want, I'm not shy of putting in the required elbow-grease. I enjoy it, even. Nothing like poring over books for hours on end to be paid back with the most satisfying results. The hard work is worth it, and I'm proud that I have the self-will to keep at it.

Kind

I can relate to people. I've been through enough myself, I will always offer an ear for someone who needs to air some issues. As my confidence has grown, I have found that I interact with people more, smile at strangers, help them in the street. Random acts of kindness. I want to leave a good impression on this life, and you don't get anywhere meaningful without being kind.

My Guilty Pleasure(s)

Guilty pleasures is one of those awkward topics of conversation. I mean, what makes a pleasure guilty? And if it does make you feel guilty, does that detract from the pleasure? Or is the pleasure being taken from the guilt? It's all rather confusing in my opinion.

Personally, the things I take pleasure from, I don't feel guilty about. 

I am a hugger. I love to give and receive hugs, to curl up with someone I love for hours on end. I'm not guilty about that.

I love to scrapbook. I do this to help preserve these moments for the future and for my own mental well being. Therefore I do not feel guilt in buying things because I know that I will use them.

I enjoy reading. That's nothing to be guilty about.

I am currently having an eighteen year old (and going strong) love affair with chocolate. But I moderate. Therefore, no guilt.

I don't believe in forcing ourselves into negative emotions. The universe gives of plenty of those by its own volition, it doesn't need our help too.

My Earliest Childhood Memory

My earliest memory is from my fifth birthday. I was at school in Reception class, and our teacher had this tradition of the birthday bumps, where she would lift us up five times to represent each year.

So, little five year old me was very excited.

When it came to the birthday bumps, my teacher got up and started to lift me...

One...

Two...

Three...

And she stopped.

She muttered under her breath something about me being to heavy. The class clapped louder for me, but I was still hurt. I didn't get my five birthday bumps.

And they wonder where my self esteem issues are rooted.

I will admit that I was a chubby child, but there was something medically wrong with me causing it. There's nothing wrong now. It's just a shame that that's the earliest memory I can recall, that feeling that plagued the rest of my birthday.

Oh well.

Meaning of this name?

Crafts from a Ravenclaw began in the summer of 2011. I was fifteen, and trying to think of a name that would both protect my identity online, and give some idea of the content I wanted to make. At that point, I thought I was going to make a lot of Harry Potter inspired crafts, and, at the beginning, I did start out making a fair few. Yet, as I have grown up, my taste in craft projects has developed too.

Some may sit and think that the title is no longer relevant to the content I am creating. I would disagree. I am still crafting regularly. Although you're not seeing it currently on the blog (because I am useless at taking the required pictures), I am knitting and sewing still, but they're just not as interesting. I still make my felt hearts as a default present, I make simple canvas bags as presents too, and recently a friend commissioned me to make 10 pairs of bird wings for a school play, and 24 little drawstring bags. So I am still crafting, but these little things don't feel worthy of being shared.

The other part is Ravenclaw, so while, yes, I don't create as many Harry Potter items as before, I still feel this relates to me. I still love Harry Potter, and I am a Ravenclaw. I am hardworking and driven, and I aspire to be a learner. I miss my degree. 

The main craft I turn to now is scrapbooking, but the reasons for that, I think, require a different post. In my opinion, it's quite nice to look back  and see how this blog has evolved, how much it's grown, and how much I have changed. I like that this part of me has been documented, and I'm proud of what I have made here.

20 Facts about Me

1) I cannot resist a tube of rolos.

2) I was a competitive swimmer for six years when I was younger.

3) I'm pretty good at drawing hands.

4) I love vanilla candles.

5) I hate cats.

6) I tried to join a Harry Potter Society, but decided against it because it wasn't nerdy enough.

7) If I hadn't chosen history, I would have wanted to have been an atomic physicist.

8) Speaking of physicists, I'm in love with the film 'The Theory of Everything'.

9) I'm currently in a long distance relationship.

10) I was captain of my school's school challenge team.

11) I have four bookshelves in my room and all of them are overflowing, though not necessarily with books...

12) I feel the cold, and am most comfortable in mediterranean weather.

13) I'm slightly addicted to snapchat.

14) I'm not a tidy person.

15) I'd rather have a small group of close friends than a large group that don't mean as much.

16) I adore receiving letters.

17) I get more nervous doing a class presentation in front of twelve people than doing an assembly in front of nearly 700 people.

18) I love falling asleep to the sound of rain.

19) In my AS Levels, history was my worst grade. After my A2's, it was my best by a long shot. Amazing what a year can do.

20) I've had the same teddy since I was born and he still comes almost everywhere with me.

August Blogging

Hello there lovely people!

If you've been a long time reader, you may remember that back in 2013 I set myself the challenge of blogging every day in August. I have decided again to take up that challenge for the year of 2015 (perhaps make it an alternate year thing?).

This year is going to be slightly different. I hope to keep my regular posts going at their normal schedule, with this 31 Day Blog Challenge I found on pinterest (see below for image)

So this is day 1, with our introduction, and so on. Hopefully you can join me in this endeavour, and let me know what you think! Perhaps you can join me? 

Jingle Bells

Yes, this is a shameless Christmas Selfie. Yes, I am wearing a wreath made of bells on my head. No, I am not insane. But, that wreath was surprisingly heavy, it hurt my neck for days...

I have my own self proclaimed Christmas tradition whereby every time we put the Christmas decorations up, I wear an item. In the past I have had tinsel scarves and bauble earrings. This year was the turn of a golden halo...

This background piece is gorgeous. The berries are holographic, it was almost too good to use. But then I found some red mirror card to match it... and, well, it was irresistible. A few other patterns to layer and a journalling card... tada! It makes me smile every time I see this page, mainly because that paper is so beautiful. When a pattern is that good, you let it do all of the talking.

Do you have any patterns in your stash like that?

First Picture

Well readers, there's something I should probably tell you.

This is the first picture that was taken of me and my boyfriend. Yup. I have a boyfriend. Even I am still in shock about it, and it is now five months since we started.We met at the octopush society, he was the captain, I was a fresher. He kind of swept me away. This was taken at the Octopush Christmas Dinner. It's a beautiful picture, and I love it. It's the first picture of us. He looked so smart in his suit.

That's why I kept the whole page so smart. The crisp black and white. I look at this page and I remember that suit.

It was a very good suit.