Computing teacher who enjoys screenwriting alongside a spot of Einaudi, Afremov, Doctor Who, Sherlock and Shakespeare. Fuelled by frappuccinos, olives and pinoy gelatin. Enthusiast of all things beautifully inspiring, and yells ''PLOT TWIST!!'' when things don't go to plan.
My motto: Remember, our hearts all beat the same so smile, it's the only language we all speak.
The Ice Bucket Challenge had me stumbling all over my words but I DID
IT!
I decided to monotise this video on 14th September and donate all the money made from its AdSense to the MND Association in exactly a year; 14th September 2015.
I have also set up a donation page for those who would like to go the extra mile and donate to the cause: Donate to MND Association. (The MND Association is the UK based charity of the ALS Association which is the USA based one.)
My hope is that I can make more charity videos in the months to come so stay tuned!
Keep smiling and together we have and will make a difference xxx
So those of the age of 16-19 years old, all received their A-level results this week. Man, time flies!I remember the day I got my A-Level results so vividly. Excuse the cheese, but I remember it like it was yesterday! How I'm now a graduate going on postgraduate, just like that, I will never know. Time always feels so slow in the present but so fast in the past. Time works in mysterious ways.
Yes, I was the crier. I cried upon reading my A-level results. It was a make or break moment. Would I get into my first choice university or not? To be or not to be was most definitely the question no doubt. And to be 'twas!
I have never been so nervous for results before that. It was the most scariest thing just waiting to see where fate lives. I remember, I watched the sun set and rise. The one and only time I have ever done an all nighter. I was just so nervous, sleep was no concern of mine. The results would be online at half 8am before being able to collect them from sixth form. So naturally, I jumped on at 8am with my turtle of a PC. For 2 hours and a half straight, I sat at the computer desk watching it freeze and unfreeze before me constantly. Time stood still. Time, now, to collect results from the sixth form. And there stood 3 letters that confirmed my first choice university. I cried. Who wouldn't?
Robin Williams; You Are Billiant.
Sometimes, the happiest people who make us laugh, are the saddest of people who cry inside.
Nobody would have been able to predict this sadness. I found out through twitter and did not believe a word. My first instinct was telling me it was a rumor. I mean, it had to be right? But as the tweets became flooding onto my timeline, it was hard to ignore and as respected news articles were being circulated, it was clear - Robin Williams, Rest In Peace.
As a 90s kid, Robin Williams was literally my childhood. From Hook, to Aladdin, to Toys, to Mrs. Doubtfire, to Jumanji, to Flubber, to Patch Adams, to Night at the Museum - great talent.
Williams' publicist had announced that Williams was "battling severe depression". And his death has shown us the harsh reality of what depression can do to even someone of Williams' nature. It's a serious condition that sometimes can be shrugged off but just being sad is a major understatement. It goes way deeper than that, and the more we speak about it, the more
The beginning of this week marked 100 years since World War One. A few weeks ago, I blogged about my sister performing in a choir commemorating the centenary of World War One and the beginning of this week was the day that the world stood still to remember.
From 10pm to 11pm on Monday, people in the UK turned off all their lights but one to remember the 17 million of the fallen during World War One.
A very beautiful gesture that the Trafford Centre organised in salutation was the Million Poppy Cascade. This is where they let poppies fall to symbolise those who fell during the World War.
It's times like this when you begin to reflect upon the world you live in and are a part of. These soldiers and civilians put their own lives on the line for a better world for the future. Can we even start to imagine the bravery? It makes you think, would you do the same?
Are you someone who would sacrifice your own needs for another? And when I ask these questions, I don't only mean would you go to war to stand for something you believe in but also for the smaller things in life. Like when you see someone's car has broken down on the road, do you stop and help? Or when someone is teasing somebody else in a way that makes them uncomfortable, are you the type of person who would step in? Or when you see someone pickpocket someone but they are still unaware of it, would you try and stop them?
I'm no saint and I put my hands up, there have been times where I've stand and just watched things unravel. I guess it's the fear that you don't want to get involved that wins over the desire to help. But in a world where war and violence still exists strongly, not lending a small helping hand in everyday life seems petty in comparison.
There's a saying by Albert Einstein, "Be a voice, not an Echo.".
Make a stand in one what you believe in, even if you are the only one but I think that being an echo is still just as powerful. By being the echo, you constantly repeat what you preach, like how nothing should stop us from standing up for what we believe in; like how nothing should stop us from offering a helping hand.
If you were in their situation and asked for help, surely you'd hope that you would be someone who would.
WORLD CAT DAY.
Need I saw more? Pretty sure this was invented so that the cat's can regain their Ancient Egyption power but hey, you don't need to give me an excuse to post pictures of cats! To celebrate World Cat Day, I thought we'd celebrate the glorious internet cats we know and love.
I am by no means a henna/mehndi artiste professional but I do try!
This is all from years of practice as growing up, I had nobody else to do my own mehndi but myself.
My little sister's mehndi with her red and gold polish to match her Eid clothes.
My mum hardly ever wants to get her mehndi done and the one occasion that she allows me to, the mehndi tube clogs up half way through hence the small design!
And finally, my own hand. I'm quite fond of the one-sided style.
I think the simpler the design, the more pleasing it is to the eye.
This is my attempt of following a design I found on t'internet.
The
beginning of this week marked Eid-ul-Fitr which is a celebratory day at
the end of the month of fasting; Ramadan. It's a day full of food,
prayer, family (not necessarily in that order!) and most importantly
gratitude.
The day usually starts of with Eid prayer at the mosque. If
not already paid prior to Eid, Fitrana (also known as Zakat-ul-Fitr) is
paid. This is a certain amount of money paid per person per household to
the mosque. The amount can vary as it is based on how much 2.5kg of
wheat costs. For example, a few years ago it was £2.50 and this year
it's £5 per person.
The Fitrana money is then given and
used by less fortunate Muslims to pay for any needs they may have for
Eid. As Eid is a day of celebration for all Muslims, irrespective of
wealth, therefore it is our duty to help others to celebrate it with us.
For example, the money could help pay for a filling, Eid meal for a
family or buy new clothes for them to wear.
After Eid
prayers, the family gathers together to eat a banquet of food! And
funnily enough, it's easy to think that now you can eat during the day
that someone will have to pin you down to stop, but often you fill up
quite quickly as your body is still used to the month of fasting.
Though physical presents can be given, money is often gifted from the elderly to the young (Eidi).So
if you're a young'un with A LOT of elder relatives, be ready to collect
millions as you run to the corner shop to buy yourself some millions!
As
with anything, the novelty of Eid may start to rub off as you get older
but either way, it's such a meaningful day where family come together,
eat food and be merry!
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ended this week. It just flew by! To be honest, I don't feel like I was even given enough time to breathe it all in and it's already ended.
What I do know though, is that England aren't all that bad at sport! ;)
Last but most definitely not least, my friend who runs @andrwscttonline on Twitter launched the Andrew Scott Birthday project today.
Similar to what they did last year, Scotties are collectively making a birthday video to wish Andrew a Happy Birthday (which, might I add, he replied to in his own little video!).
Furthermore, similar to what was done for the Batch's Birthday, fans are raising money by donating to a charity. The charity for the Scott Project is Shaped Arts who supports the disabled within the arts and cultures sector. You can get involved and donate here.
Last time @andrwscttonline did a gift donation for Scott, it was earlier this year for Montage Theatre Arts who provide performing arts support for low-income families within their community. It managed to raise just over £700 and Andrew himself said that he would donate the matched amount from his fans to the charity which meant double the donation which is awesome!
Coincidentally, his birthday (October 21st) falls on the same date as my long-term, friend since childhood, friend of all friends' birthday! This is the friend who insisted I watched Sherlock last year just before Series 3 was announced hence introducing me to Andrew Scott! Been a fan ever since!
