Film Review: 'Love, Rosie'

When my friend and I went to see 'If I stay' at the cinema last year we saw a trailer for 'Love, Rosie' starring Lily Collins and Sam Claflin and based on the novel 'Where Rainbows End', which I haven't read but would like too. We turned to each other, and without speaking (we were in the cinema after all, but maybe we did whisper a little) we knew that it was our kind of film. But when it finally came out in the cinema, we never managed to arrange a time when we were both free to see it.

It was my sister's birthday 2 weeks ago and her friend bought her 'Love Rosie' on DVD. So, on Sunday night my sister and I stocked up on Easter egg chocolate and watched it.

Brief Summary: Rosie and Alex are best friends from a very young age. As they grow up, Rosie is a party-girl, popular with the boys, while Alex is smart (...and very handsome!) Alex receives a scholarship for Harvard University and wants Rosie to go with him, but she finds out she's pregnant and lies to her friend to save embarrassment. But sometimes who and what you need is closer than you think...  

In the opening 10-20 minutes of the film, my sister found me really annoying because I kept making comments about how unrealistic it was. I mean, it wasn't so much the plot, because yes parts of that were unrealistic but you kind of have to accept that in films! It was more than, for me, the acting and direction portrayed in the opening  of the film didn't convince me that it could be real. There were several sequences in the film where I kept thinking it was going to be one of those "and then she woke up and it was all a dream" moments. After a while she basically told me to shut up, and I did enjoy the rest of the film, but the  comments about the stupidity of these elements was eating me up inside!

That said, I really like both Collins and Claflin and found them a good pair, who were amusing too! After watching, I had this kind of appreciation for opportunities in life: for love, for travel, for education, for friends, for family, for choices. I know that sounds pretty deep but it just reminded me that sometimes things don't go as planned but it doesn't mean you don't get something good out of it too!

Overall, this film was a wee bit disappointing for me because it was very different to what I was expecting and I'd been waiting so long to see it that I think I made I made it more impressive in my head! But it's watchable and worth it if you're looking for something light-hearted!

Book Review: 'Girl Online' by Zoe Sugg (a.k.a Zoella)

I read this book, which I bought months ago on my Kindle, in little snippets of time I found throughout last week, and then in one particularly long reading session last Friday night!

I heard about this book because I enjoy watching YouTube, and while I've only watched a handful of Zoella's actual videos, the Youtubers I do follow on Social Networking lead me to this relatively recent book! Around the time of its publication, there was a lot of talk about how it had been 'Ghost Written' meaning that Zoe had considerable help in writing it, so much so that there are many parts she didn't write. Whether, or to what extent, that is true never really fussed me. I mean, she was a first-time author and obviously the name of a famous YouTuber is going to sell more copies than any other name. She's still an incredibly talented woman who has worked her butt off to put together a novel and get a publishing contract. Who are we, as unpublished people, to criticise? Its not like she didn't acknowledge her supporters at the back of the book.

Anyway, back to the novel itself. Brief Summary: Socially Awkward Penny suffers from anxiety, but when she and her family end up taking a last minute New York trip with her parents' company for Christmas and New Year, she meets Noah and he just seems perfect. How will the pair's feeling develops, and what are the consequences of distance and secrets?

Pictured: Author & Youtuber Zoe Sugg (plus 'Girl Online' cover)

Ok, so that brief summary turned into more of my own blurb for the book haha, but you get the drift.

I really enjoyed the book as a light-read, and thought that the fact that it dealt with anxiety, panic attacks and techniques for dealing with these things was very useful. I was also fairly glued to the book because I'm a hopeless romantic and it was perfectly soppy ;)

However, unfortunately I did predict some of the key 'shocking twists' very early on, and therefore found it to be quite a predictable read. My friend had told me before-hand that it was quite unrealistic, and I would definitely agree with this, but hey, a girl can dream right?
 Wouldn't we all love the man of our dreams in New York and for our wee blog to be a massive hit that got 300 comments and went viral? Haha xx

Overall, definitely worth it as a fun read with cute and quirky characters, particular Penny and her best friend Elliot, and good on Zoella for powering through the initial criticism, but maybe not a particularly high-level novel

Uni Choice Freak-Out

I'm in my final year at school. And I have two school weeks left. Ever.

That fact has kinda been scaring me recently. It's getting to the stage where I'm almost ready to leave school, but still not knowing what I will be doing with my life in 6 months time is quite daunting.

I now have all my replies from the University courses I applied for. I have been accepted to study International Relations in both Edinburgh and St. Andrews, but have been rejected from studying English in each of those places. Thankfully,. I had my heart set on IR from the start, but it's never nice to be rejected, especially when you're unsure of what more you could have done!

What this leaves is a very exciting decision: 2 fab Unis. But I can only attend 1!

There are pros and cons of both which I won't detail just now, but I keep swinging between the two as a result! I'm going to visit each place again in the next couple of weeks and have resolved to make my decision after that. Once the decision is made, I know that what I need to do is completely forget the other option and put my all into getting the most out of what I decide.

Last year, I wrote a post called Positive Dilemmas about how the decisions which are the hardest to make are those that include equally awesome options. Occasionally, these sorts of decisions lead me to mini freak-out mode. Then I feel guilty about getting worked up because I know that there are so many people who would be over the moon with unconditional offers to just one top Scottish Uni, far less 2!

I know that I'm an exceptionally lucky girl, and so my stressing is honestly not meant to be spoilt sounding! I think its just that sometimes something a big as moving away from home and beginning to study something totally new with totally different people is a little overwhelming! Exciting, yes! But a little overwhelming, in the best way possible.

I'll keep the blog updated on my decision, but I think sometimes I need to just take a step back from my initial panic and come up with a plan. as my mum has told me, I can't really make a wrong decision. Either way, the unknown is seeming so close now... :)

Please feel free to leave comments, would love to hear about your mini freak-outs and your positive dilemmas!

Catriona x

Book Review: 'Q: A Love Story' by Evan Mandery

So one of the things I enjoy doing, when I have a few free minutes, is to watch Youtube. With limited time, I don't follow many channels on a regular basis, but probably the only person who I have watched every single one of their videos is Carrie Hope Fletcher. An actress, singer, writer and avid reader, I really trust her book recommendations.

I have a list of books she's mentioned in videos and so when I fancy reading something I know nothing about, I take a title from the list and order it on my library app.

It has taken me stupidly long to get through this relatively average sized novel..  mostly because I've had NO TIME and not enough motivation to read.

It doesn't mean the book was bad, because it wasn't. But it wasn't the cute easy-read love story I was expecting and I've also had a tough few weeks motivation-wise in general.

But it has finally been completed and enjoyed.

I chose this book because the blurb intrigued me. The lead female's name is Q, and the reviewers comments suggest it would appeal to anyone who enjoyed 'The Time Traveller's Wife', which I really did.

Despite it's title, this novel hardly contained Q at all, and wouldn't really be what I would class as 'A love story'. The book was more about self-discovery and the interesting concept of time and day-to-day decisions.

I liked the use of real-life science and philosophy because it linked nicely to my RMPS course and therefore I could appreciate it. However, it did make it a little more of a confusing read than I'd initially been expecting.

The principle character (whose name I must know, or have known, but honestly cannot remember in this moment because it was written in first person and consequently of very little importance) is a little frustrating for me at times, as he is so easily led by his 'future selves' and cannot make his own decisions, even when he notices the pattern of impossible solution which was excruciatingly obvious to me as a reader from a very early stage. I therefore became a little bored with the penultimate section of the book because it was overly repetitive and therefore kind of predictable

But, as a whole, I really enjoyed the book. The characterisation, particularly of the hero, was .well created and I felt I could relate to the idea of wanting the best possible outcome but hating the process of altering your lifestyle in order to make that happen.

So, although a few of the ideas were a bit far fetched and long-winded, I really enjoyed this book. It was the complete opposite of what I expected, so may be for any of you too, but worth a read anyway!

Permanent Exhaustion...!

I can't believe it's been exactly a month since I last blogged. Well, actually I can believe it but it's not good enough! I've wanted to write so many times but it's been non-stop, and when it's not non-stop I'm wiped out because of how non-stop it really is... get me?

It's like, I NEVER have NOTHING to do. There is always always something.. any essay re-draft or first draft or plan, an exam or test to revise for, violin practice to do, a letter to reply to. Just to clarify, I'm not complaining at all. I'm genuinely not. I love being busy, and I love the fact that I have to opportunity to play music, and I have amazing friends who take the time to write me letters. But sometimes I just wish that when I come home in the evening and sit and watch the boxset of Friends  it didn't come with this constant guilt because it's not a productive a use of time as it could be, particularly when I have a million and one other things that need doing. The fact that I only have like 4 weeks left of school ever is scaring me in many ways. Firstly, it's scaring me because I love school and have spent the last 13 years of my life at school and where has that time gone?!? Secondly, its scaring me because I have some major decisions to make about what I do after I leave (i.e. what Uni I pick!) and that's not something I feel I have the time to face right now (Think I'll put up a separate post about this soon!). Lastly, it's scary because I have so much work to do and so many deadlines to meet in just 4 short weeks.

For the last two weekends I've been training to sit my lifeguarding qualification. It's fun, and I really want to pass, but it's really hard physical and mental work too!! Thing is, it has run for the last two Friday nights, all day Saturday and all day Sunday and when I get home in the evenings, I just don't have any energy left to do the homework  I need to.

This post isn't actually intended to make me out to be an ungrateful teenager who just complains! I'm so lucky to have so much going on for me, I really really truly am. But sometimes, just sometimes, wouldn't it be nice to have a day which is just cancelled and you can go back to bed?

Haha, I'm going to go and make an attempt at some of this work because, in the end, the best way to not stress out over how much I have to do is to get on and do some of it! Let m know in the comments if you ever go through periods of just permanent exhaustion- I bet I'm not alone! x

Film Review: 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

Hi all!

The other week when I was in ASDA with some friends, I saw that they were selling this film on DVD for £5 and I was in the mood for an impulse treat! So I bought it, but I've been too busy (or tired!) to watch it... until Friday just past!

I came home from Orchestra rehearsals and just wanted my bed but I decided to sit up a while and watch this film! I read the book by Stephen Chbosky (who also directs the film!) in July 2013, but it has taken me until now to finally watch the film! My friend had told me that it was one of her favourite films, AND Emma Watson is probably my favourite actress, so I was extremely keen to watch it for numerous reasons!

It was worth the wait! I was tired, so I plan to re-watch it when I can focus a bit better... well I'm sure I'll re-watch it several times since I now own the DVD! I think I might even re-read it since I own the book too.

It was bizarre seeing Emma Watson play this character, as it is so different from anything I've ever seen her in before. Although she was as perfect as always (ok, I may have a teeny tiny girl crush on her haha!) I'll be honest and say I don't think the role of Sam, as was in the film, gave her the opportunity to achieve her full potential and it isn't my favourite performance of hers.

Logan Lerman (Charlie)

But that was sort of the magic of the film: it was simple, but at the same time meaningful. Yes, it was another 'growing up' story, but I'd argue it was unique, and all the while I was thinking that Chbosky had taken a totally different angle from the likes of John Green.

I adored Logan Lerman's (pictured left) portrayal of principal character Charlie. He achieved the perfect level of awkward and he is very cute (in my opinion!).

The character of Charlie had experienced trauma as a child that left him very mentally unwell, but aside from this his experiences were relatable- feeling low, feeling lonely and just trying to get through the days sometimes. His integration into a welcoming friendship group made me glow inside, and I genuinely felt that there is hope for everyone, for every outsider. I personally am lucky to have a wonderful group of friends, but I sometimes find new company awkward and 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' addressed the 'fitting in issue' fantastically.

Perhaps my favourite character was Patrick, played by Ezra Miller. He was just so individual a character that you can imagine him being a real person, not a stereotype put in to every story to keep it going, if you know what I mean!? Another issue dealt with was finding your feet with homosexuality, because Patrick is gay and in a secret relationship that leaves him later feeling embarrassed and ridiculed. Although I think that the book I recently reviewed 'Will Grayson, Will Grayson.' was a superior addressee of homosexuality and the difficulties for young boys particularly, I think that the result of its presence in this film was less about the homosexuality itself but the humiliation present between peers in every high school in the world.

On the topic of relationships and love, TPOBAW also successfully deals with uncertainties of romantic feelings. Sam wants to be loved, but has made her fair share of mistakes along the way. In Charlie she sees a friend, a brother... and the ideal love? Or not? Charlie is undeniably devoted to her from the start, but Chbosky doesn't try and pretend its as easy as happily ever after. Charlie is a newbie to the dating scene and his first kiss, for example, is a central scene.

Admittedly, the luck of Chbosky's character's is still immensely better in terms of romance than I, for example, am yet to experience, but at least he doesn't try and pretend it's as easy as boy meets girl, or boy meets boy or girl meets girl!

I could, surprisingly, say much more about this film. In some ways, I think it tries to cover too many issues, but mostly I feel that every element finds a slot and the viewer can easily accept that none will be explored in detail. As the DVD blurb says:

 "THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up."

"THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope- and the unforgettable friends that help us through life."

Now I'm off out to meet some of my friends.. xx

Was it really 'meant to be'?

So, back at the beginning of the January, I produced a post I was proud of and I was fairly devastated when it didn't save. I've got over it now but, at the time, it did get me thinking.... maybe that post just wasn't meant to be?

When we say 'meant to be', we presumably refer to fate. As though the right thing to happen is pre-decided, and when things don't go the way we want or expect them to, it's because some greater being or pull within the universe hasn't planned it that way.

For some people, this being is a God or holy figure of some description, for others stars or angels or intergalactic pixies, I don't know. The question that has me puzzled isn't one of the validity of religion, because that's not something I feel in the right place to write about yet, but about the validity of believing that things can be meant, or not, to happen, in general.

If we are decided that what is supposed to happen always will and that everything therefore has a happy ending, we can optimistically navigate our way through life and can theoretically take every blow with a smile because, it wasn't 'meant to be'. OR: perhaps what is meant to be for some people isn't always happy, perhaps some people are 'meant' to have bad things happen to them. In which case, why?

Or perhaps we use 'meant to be' as an excuse or, more realistically, an explanation and motivation to keep our heads held high.

That's really all I had to say on that for now. Maybe people will read this, maybe that's not the outcome of this post which is 'meant to be'.

I doubt I'll stop using the phrase, but it'll accompany a whole train of thought from now on!

Let me know what you think about fate and the idea of things happening because they're 'supposed to', in the comments below!

Catriona xx