Harry Potter Studio Tour; A review.

So, the day arrived! I have wanted to visit for so many years as I am a massive fan of Harry Potter.

We were booked into the 3:30pm entry. The timed entry worked very well. Once in, you can wander through at your own pace and it wasn't uncomfortably busy, even though it was the school holidays. We had a 13 year old, 12 year old, 10 year old and 9 month old, complete with pushchair. When some places are busy, it's hard work and tiring getting around them with a pushchair, but didn't find this problem here.

The initial part of the tour was in the great hall following a short introduction film. We were lucky to see the goblet of fire demonstration. After not long in the hall we were told we must leave to start the rest of our tour, which was self led. We didn't get nearly long enough in the hall to see everything properly. However, staff told us we could come back in with the next group a few minutes later. So we waited behind a rope and then re entered. It did seem a little silly and unnecessary that we HAD to leave, given that there were staff still in there the entire time.

The rest of the exhibitions were fantastic. We wandered as slowly as we liked having being told by a friend not to hurry as, once you're through it, you're through.

There was the opportunity to fly, using a green screen and you could purchase the DVD of yourself. We didn't do this as it would have been about £40 for four of us which isn't as expensive as I would have expected to be honest. The queue wasn't too big either as they had several stations working at once.

Towards the end of the attraction, we send the kids off to buy butterbeer; the famous butterbeer! We should have checked the price before shipping them off with a £20 note to buy 4 of them as we only got about £5 change and the kids didn't even like it! We should have bought one or two of them just to try it. I have had butterbeer in universal studios and really liked it. This one however was different and I can't say I particularly enjoyed it either. It had a slight carbonation which just didn't work with it at all.

Then we came to the end of the tour... The gift shop...and as expected... It was so overpriced. Very disappointing. We would have loved to buy souvenirs but it was extortionate (as these places usually are). They had some really nice merchandise in there and if they lowered the prices and put on some offers etc I've no doubt they would double their sales easily. It just seems greedy.

But all in all, a fantastic experience. Was very glad to finally have the opportunity to visit and, although I shan't return in the immediate future, simply as I have now seen it, it was very enjoyable and I would recommend it 100%.

CBT - Giving it a Go

So two weeks ago I started CBT (Cognitive, Behavioural Therapy) to try to fix the anxiety I've had for the past 12 or so years. I've always 'coped' with it, but it just puts a dampener on many things and I feel like it's actually gotten worse over the past few years. I don't want to end up a nervous wreck. There is so much to do and see in this world and I really want to enjoy it all.

Today was my second session (couldn't make last weeks due to my university exam).

The lady is really lovely, she puts me at ease. I know how to fix the anxieties, or the bulk of it at least, as a lot of my is coming from avoidance behaviours I've acquired over the years. The solution? Stop avoiding these things.
However, if it was that simple, I wouldn't be going for the CBT. I was a little sceptical at first as my thoughts were 'If I won't listen to myself, why am I more likely to listen to you?'. But I feel a lot better about it after this second session. I have small milestones to try and reach and I need to keep an 'anxiety diary' so she can get a better idea of where to focus.

We discussed Negative Automatic Thoughts (NATs) - the way that your brain automatically flies to the worst possible scenario - and she said we will work on trying to get rid of these. That we will never totally have none, as everybody thinks like this at some point, but aiming for a lot less, and working on how to deal with the NATs that do pop into my head.

Hopefully this is the right track. I actually don't want to do this. I just want to be 'normal'. To not have these anxieties in the first place. But...that ship has sailed! So I really have to try hard with this and hope it will be for the best.

Well - what happened then?!

So I disappeared from my blog for, what seems to be, four years. FOUR YEARS?! That's a really long time! It really doesn't seem that long.

So to all my, non-existent, followers, I offer my apologies.

In that time - I've mainly been studying to be quite honest. I'm studying for a mathematics degree part time, and I just completed year 5 last week. It's pretty time consuming alongside working full time as well. I may have mentioned that before as I did start it in 2011.

So, on my 'to-do now I'm not studying for the summer' list I have, to mention a few:

• Start to learn a new language. I was looking at Korean (having recently gotten listening to the band Big Bang), but a few of my students are wanting to learn Japanese so I think I'll plump for that instead. It sure looks interesting and I hope to find some resources which suit everyone.
• Update my Harry Potter fanfiction. You can read it here: Two Letters - Fanfiction but I've been lazing off and as I've managed to get nearly 200 followers, I really have to update soon.
• Learn to play the banjo. Okay, I bought this last year because I thought it would be cool to learn. However, I can't find a teacher! So I need to teach myself, and it's another thing which has gone on the backburner this year.
• Relax. I'd really like to just sit and read a book. Something I've not read before. However, I just don't feel in the mood to try something new. I went to the USA over Easter and I bought the Sophie Kinsella -Shopaholic to the Rescue (I think it was this one) in the airport in case I found myself with book-reading time (I didn't). I love these books, but I never read Shopaholic to the Stars as it had pretty poor reviews, and I didn't want to ruin the series with it. But I really should read it and form my own opinion.
• Spend time researching the family tree. I bought my Dad an ancestry subscription for his birthday and we've been having fun researching. It's very addictive!
• Ideally get a start on next years maths modules ('Graphs and Networking' and 'Applications of Probability' or something like that!). But I say this every summer. And don't!
• I also need to follow up on commitments I've made this year. I fundraised for a new wheelchair for a girl I know who suffers from cerebral palsy. (She lives in an institution in another country). I raised the money, but still haven't sorted the chair out and I feel so bad about that, as I know she is so excited about it. I did go into the shop the other day and get the ball rolling though, so hopefully over the next few weeks we'll be sorted for that. I've offered to help fundraise for something else too and really must get started.

I know this list isn't even exhaustive.

I have a terrible habit of sitting down when I get home, and not getting things done. In work I keep a to do list on my notepad, and it really helps keep me focussed. I am thinking of doing the same at home to see if it helps me keep on top of things.

Anyway, now I've treated you like a diary, I'm off!

But I will try to get back on track here too.

Maybe I should add my blog to the list above!

Mini Water Vortex Lamp - a review

I was given one of these two years ago for Christmas. I think. Or maybe one year.

Anyway, it has sat in its box all this time, even though I wanted to get it on display, I didn't have anywhere to put it.

This year I bought one massive desk, so tonight the lamp got its first outing.

It is really easy to set up, not sure where the instructions are, but I may have gotten them out when I received the lamp. I filled it with water, set it on the desk and plugged it in.

There is a lovely show of different colours, and the water really did vortex. Little air bubbles swoosh around in the water. Really captivating to watch. The only, major, downside is the noise. It is really noisy, and I actually had to turn it off so I could study, which is a shame, because it is lovely to look at. It sounds like a fish tank when the filter isn't quite submerged.

All in all, a great product, but not executed as well as it could be.

Here is a little film clip, to show the lamp off.

Hmm.. Well there will be soon.

**cue next post about Googles apps!**

Extreme Makeover - Home Edition

Just started to watch this show, and quickly realised why I stopped watching.

In tears already! It is so emotional. What a great show though, I love what these people do, of course it is all tv etc but what a great thing to do.

It does make me laugh though when Ty says;

'you all live in this small house? You'll have to fit in this small sitting room?'
or
'all 3 of you have to share this one bathroom?'

Has he ever been in a British house?! One bathroom is more than normal, and the sitting rooms he condemns on his show are about the size of the whole downstairs of a normal semi detached house in the UK!

But still, Americanisms aside, it is a fantastic show! Just keep the tissues handy for all the tears!

Oh, I almost forgot to add, how adorable is Xzibit? What a nice guy he seems!

The Room review

I downloaded this app/game for my third generation iPad. 

It cost £2.99

Wow, well worth the money! 

The idea is, you are locked in a room and need to get out. You are presented with a box with multiple connected puzzles which you must solve. It reminds me of a Japanese puzzle box slightly. Different parts affect other areas of the box etc. 

The graphics are beautiful. Not often does something really wow me, but this did. Absolutely stunning graphics and design as well. The game is well thought out and planned, hints available when you need them, and they are good hints. They don't just tell you what to do, but actually give a hint which is unusual in most puzzle solving games!

I seem to have lost sight of the Room part of the game, because, as you progress you seem to go further in, but it seems irrelevant anyway, as you are so immersed in gameplay.

Sadly, the game was over all too soon, although you are left with the promise of more to come.

Massive congratulations to Fireproof games, what an achievement for your first release. I will be keeping a close eye on what else you have to offer in future.

Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee

I have just caught the end of the concert on tv. The poor Queen. She looks a bit stressed. Her husband is in hospital and no doubt she is really worried, but doesn't want to disappoint the nation who want to celebrate her jubilee with her. Here is hoping that that Prince Philip recovers well, and of course a massive congratulations to her majesty on her 60 years as Queen.

3rd Generation iPad Review

Well, my birthday present this year was an iPad! I was shocked, although I had guessed beforehand from the countless hints dropped by my boyfriend who was more excited than I.

Never having owned an iPad before, I cannot compare between the iPad 1, 2 or 3rd gen. but here is my thoughts on the 3rd gen.

Upon first opening it, I was a bit confused by the lack of instructions.  I know we are in the age of technology, but I couldn't find where to put the sim card.  After looking on YouTube for a tutorial on this, calling 3 because the sim card was too big, then looking back in the bag and finding the correct simcard (yes, a little embarrassing - I was just so excited!) I got going with my iPad.

It is rather heavier than I expected- not uncomfortably so, but I wouldn't recommend carrying it in your handbag all day long.

Screen
The screen is crisp, clear and bright.  It adjusts itself for different levels of lighting in the room which is quite a nice feature. It is big enough to watch films and TV shows on, whilst still being compact. Game play is a breeze, the iPad almost hearing your thoughts before you touch the screen so you only have to lightly tap or swipe and it responds.

App store
I am also new to the app store.  I do like this, but having an android phone, find that a lot of games and apps which are free on android, must be purchased through the app store.

There doesn't appear to be a way to sort by price or paid/free which is no doubt by design but would help customers a lot and no doubt boost customer satisfaction.

Camera
The camera on the iPad is very nice for a device of its kind, although action shots tend to blur slightly - ask my rabbits! The screen camera is good for it's purpose, not as clear as the back one but for Skype etc. more than sufficient.

The gallery is easy to browse through and the quality of pictures on screen is fantastic.

E-mail
I dislike the e-mail function on the iPad, mainly because you cannot easily log out.  Other family members like to use the iPad as well and I do not like that all my personal e-mails are just a click away.  So I have actually stopped using this service, opting to check my email through the browser instead, which is a shame as it would be very useful to just have it all a click and password away.

Overall
It is a good device, but merely a vessel, a blank canvas if you will, to do with what you please, be that, downloading films / music from iTunes, downloading games / apps from the App Store, showing off your holiday photo's or typing up that assignment due in next week (although I would suggest using a laptop to do the latter or you may end up with a few spelling errors!).

In fact - my laptop is barely used anymore for browsing the web and gaming.

But it is getting a look in today as I type this!

Knitting a scarf.

I started this scarf last December as a Christmas gift for a friends.

Four months later...

I'm only about half way through it and am sick of the sight of it!

Who fancies finishing it for me?

International Women's Day

So the 8th of March is here.

International Women's Day. Not something which has really been celebrated commercially in Britain before.  Fortunately, the card companies haven't jumped onto the bandwagon just yet.  Although, I did hear many mentions of Women's Day on the television and news today, so no doubt, next year, Clintons will be squeezing this one in between Valentines Day and Mother's Day.

From my understanding, Women's Day (apparantly, originally called 'International Working Women's Day') is essentially a celebration of female independance and it's (slow) progress.

The holiday has been around since the early 1900's and from what I read, it is a national holiday in many Eastern European countries and Russia (due to the former Soviet regime) and in other countries as well.

Well, with my boyfriend being from Russia, I got treated today. (Probably because I reminded him yesterday! But I'm still counting it!)

Feeling very special.  He did let me think he'd forgotten though.  Only bought them in after dinner - really had me going!

Happy Women's Day to all the ladies out there and a big congratulations on how far we've all come!

Swirly Nail Art

Ever since someone mentioned this, I've wanted to try it.

Essentially, what you do, is get a cup (or recepticle of some form!) of water.  Then pick a few nail polish colours - whatever you want, and drip them in the water.  Put one colour in first, it will spread out on the surface, then the next in the centre of that and keep going until you have a big circle.

Get a toothpick or needle or similar, and make swirls in the circle, or whatever pattern you want.

Then, having given your nail a base coat first, and put some sellotape over the skin around your nail,
I tried a few weeks back and it was awful, I couldn't get the nail polish to sit right etc on the water - so I put it down to my years old nail polish and gave up.

On my way home tonight I picked up some new, colourful nail polishes.  Was going to get Barry M but they didn't have the usual 3 for 2 offer on (which seems to run about 49 weeks of the year! I'm not paying full price!) but GOSH had a bargain bin full of bits and pieces.  I got 4 nail polishes - red, blue, yellow and white for £2 each.

Well, the yellow turned out to be more sparkly gold, the white turned out to be a base really, not white.  So I used red and blue.

It took some doing, but eventually got into the swing of it. 

I did drop the red nail polish into the glass of water though! Woops! I now have blue and red swirly nail polish all over my fingers as I had to fish it back out!

Not the effect I was going for!

Just need to tidy up the edges

Hats off to you

So, it's cold.  Very cold.

I found a hat from my box out 'outdoor wear' (yes - I have a box of outdoor wear) this morning and grabbed it to wear on my way home from work.

It's kind of knitted, with a fleece lining.  Snug. And so warm.  Not particularly sexy or anything.  But who cares.

It's so warm I'm still wearing it.  And it's true what they say, all the heat goes out of your head.  Because I'm so toasty warm.

Even if I do look a bit daft sitting in the house wearing a hat.

I may be a Twilight fan, but...

...this has me in absolute stitches!

Bunny Birthday!

LOOK AT THE FLUFF!

 Bailey when we got her - I forgot how fluffy she was!

Aww I forgot how little she was!

 And Binky when we got her - she was so little and cute!

Bailey when she was little - doing what she does best - eating!  This is before I learnt not to use wood shavings by the way!

And a couple of weeks ago - all grown up!

My little girls are 1 today! 

I had forgotten how tiny and cute and FLUFFY they used to be! And considering they are still tiny, cute and fluffy, that's impressive!

I love them so much.  I love my snuggles with them both and can't imagine being without them.

Happy birthday Bailey and Binky :)

Back in studying!

So - I have just spent the afternoon completing an assignment for my Open University course.

It is the first one - and I don't think it counts to anything, it's just a sample to get us into things and see how it all works. 

It should have been completed and with my tutor on the 1st February.  NOT a good start really - time has got away with me.  But at least I've learnt my lesson early on with that little problem!

So I am going to post it on Monday and hope he doesn't mind - I have e-mailed to apologise.  I feel like a silly school girl though - I shouldn't be handing in assignments late at my age. 

I am, on the other hand, proud of myself for sitting and doing it all this afternoon.  I think I did ok as well so *fingers crossed*.

There was a computer marked test as well  - I realised on the first of  Feb, so did that in the final hours of the day.  I got 87/100 - so quite pleased with that - I did struggle a little on a few questions, but having left it until the last minute - stupidly - I can only blame myself for not having the time to commit without going over another deadline.

I have the first tutorial next week where I will meet other people studying and the tutor - so looking forward to that - it will be nice to speak with others in the same boat as me :)

Glee

I have just been catching up from before Christmas on my Sky plus.

I have missed a few episodes here and there - lost interest at one point, but my interest is back with a vengeance! 

Even my boyfriend sat and watching 2 episodes with me tonight - and didn't complain.  He got a bit fidgety towards the end, but lasted much longer than I expected.

I must confess - I have a bit of a girl crush on Santana - I think she's great - really gorgeous and such a fantastic character in the show - and her catty comments are only second to Sue!

But Sue Sylvester is my favourite character still.  She has me in stitches!!!  Some of the things she says are just hilarious! 

I also like Coach Beaste - I feel so sorry for her - she really likes that man and I hope it works out for them!

Still got a couple of episodes to bring me up to date - no spoilers please!

I know a lot of people dislike Glee, saying they spoil songs etc. - but I for one, enjoy a much richer and wider variety of music thanks to Glee.  There are a lot of teenagers out there who would never have heard Billy Joel's Only the Good Die Young - if it wasn't for Glee.  I am now a huge Billy Joel fan so thanks Puck!

Once you hear the Glee version, you set off in search of the original - and then begin to experience such a wide range of music thanks to Glee.

Thanks Glee!

My Security Shield Virus

I got in late last night - ie. about 1am.

Just checked my e-mails before bed - as you do - and checked on my blog (getting a little obsessive!).

Then suddenly an anti-virus popped up on my screen telling me I must act now to remove virus etc.  It wouldn't let me click away - I had to click decline etc.

I know it isn't my anti-virus as I use anti vir and haven't installed anything else.

So I gathered it was a virus pretending to be an anti-virus software.

It took ages - I was up until gone 3am sorting it.  I downloaded Malwarebytes to fix it - but the virus was preventing me from installing it! I got really worried!

It's all gone now - sorted it out - actually, I restarted my laptop and windows did most of it and restored  my laptop.  So thanks Microsoft.

But it has got me thinking.  If that happened to my dad, he wouldn't know any better than to believe this programme claiming to be his anti-virus.  He doesn't know what is installed on his laptop.  He would have happily 'renewed' his bank details and have been conned by it.  Well - he would have rang me to check first.  Other people wouldn't though.

So watch out for this everyone - it looks quite convincing.

Bun Ring Hair Update!!

Wow - thanks to a comment about this, I have now discovered Sock Ring Hair.

The Theory is that you can make a bun ring with a sock.  Finally, a use for all those odd socks!

Cut off the toe of the sock, and roll it up into a ring - that's it.

Probably wash it first of course.

But the way of putting your hair up in it, is so nice.  You can do this with a normal bun ring of course.

Pop your hair into a ponytail as before.  Instead of putting the bun ring at the base, put it on the end of the ponytail and roll all the hair into it, turning the bun ring as it goes down and spreading the hair out.

The result...

Much fuller, no need for clips or extra bobbles, it holds itself up.  The above is my first attempt and, besides a few flyaways, it looks so full! Someone commented on it when I was in town earlier :-D 

Apparantly, if you sleep on it like this, it gives incredible curls.  I shall update in the morning on those!

New Handbag

Recently, my trusty handbag has been looking...for want of a better word, gross.

It is past it's prime. My little angel rabbits have chewed the straps open. It had gotten to the point where, quite frankly, I'm embarrassed to be seen with it!

I've spent days pondering over which type of bag to get. It must, of course, match my new ski jacket!

Well, I am trying to save money. I spotted this bag in New Look on sale for £5. Down from £12.99. I don't even know if I like it yet, but anything is better than my current bag!

I do feel a little bad. This bag has served me well, surely I can't just bin it? Can I? Maybe I should bury it. That would be a bit weird though. In the bin you go old bag!

I feel like such a traitor!

Moscow State Circus

Wow.

I recently went to see the Babushkin Sekret. 

It started off with a bit of prancing about with violins as props and a extremely odd 'storyline' about Soviet Russia and some man loosing his chairs.  There were a few glances exchanged in the audience.

But - it picked up after that. 

There was a couple of clowns - proper clowns - not like Uncle Michael dressed up at your birthday party.  They were brilliant, climbing ladders to nowhere etc.

A man and woman doing the ribbons/ropes - they were brilliant and it was so beautiful to watch.

There was an older man who was incredible - tumbling and acrobating around - fantastic.

They did grab a few people out of the audience - at which point I started to completely freak out, being on the end of a row! I managed to move during the interval thankfully.  There was some poor woman made to hula hoop with her bum.  Felt so bad for her, but it was so funny and she took it really well.

All in all - a great night out.  Not sure if I would pay the £24 again, it was very good, but I think that was a little steep.

They are still touring the UK - I believe they come every year or 2.

http://www.moscowstatecircus.com/

If anyone can tell me what the music is called on the website I would appreciate it - it was played during the circus and I really like it!