Everything, & a Little Bit More.

(Disclaimer: Possible spoilers!) Source:  https://www.denofgeek.com/books/the-ballad-of-songbirds- and-snakes-review-spoiler-free/ The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes which is the newest novel written by Suzanne Collins, based around The 10th Hunger Games, and the life of Coriolanus Snow, was a book I didn't expect to like as much as I did. Now, don't get me wrong, if you know me, and you know me well, you know that I am a huge Hunger Games fan. Ever since I was thirteen years old. I created Facebook fan-pages, had every book from the original Hunger Games to Mockingjay , and even had a Mockingjay pin similar to Katniss Everdeens which I purchased from Waterstones when I was 14 years old. I have seen every film in the cinema when they have been released, and can watch the movies several times over and not feel bored, not in the slightest. I'm not bragging, obviously. But the bottom line is is that I really, really love The Hunger Games.  When I first read t

Telegraph, York St. John University If you are reading this, you are most likely intrigued because you are going to uni in the following months. And if so, congratulations! It's a time in your life to escape anything you once knew. To study a course you love which would follow into a career in the future, and to meet new and exciting people. It's especially good for branching out and going outside your comfort zone. And I can definitely say that ever since I've been at uni, my social skills have  massively  improved. But I will get into how in my Ten Reasons, as well as a few other things that I wish I had known before my fresher’s week / before I started University:  1 : It's  NOTHING  like what people make it out to be. When I started Uni I had this idea in my head that it'd be amazing. That I'd be out every night and I'd be able to live off of my maintenance loan, (which I understand may not be a struggle for some people as I have one of t

'What does it really mean to love your body?' I guess you could say I've asked myself this question ever since the age of twelve when I finally had to purchase a god forbidden  padded  bra, or when my hips enlarged to the point where the pyjama bottoms I used to snuggle comfortably in would now not go past my hips. All of this happened when I was twelve years old. Twelve. Years. Old. And ever since then my body has shaped, altered and changed and I've tried hard to try and love it to the best that I can. But no one understands how hard it is to walk into a crowded room and automatically think that everyone looking at you is thinking about how 'fat' or how 'skinny' you are. Because fat-shaming and skinny-shaming are as bad as each other, and I don't care how 'biased' I may be because I'm a size 14/16, skinny-shaming is just as degrading as fat-shaming. Period. Now, over the years I've been a size 12 top and bottom, a siz

Firstly, congratulations to all the people that got into University! Whether it be through clearing, your unconditional or conditional offer - you did it. All the hard work obviously paid off, and you're now moving to a different location, spending time with different people, and spending the next three years of your life swamped in deadlines, pot noodles and a Jaegar. Or, that's what people make you think. Since being at University, for three months now may I just add, I've noticed a lot of things about 'University Life' that are untrue and false. Before going to University, the thought of living in an entirely different place was interesting to me. Leaving people I don't need in my life behind me and focusing solely on my studies and surviving through not dying of hunger, appealed to me massively. But obviously, if you're attending Uni at the moment, you are aware of the 'Freshers Flu.' Freshers Flu is, by definition, " illnesses contract

To any teenager that is possibly going through a heartbreak and is eating Ben and Jerry's in front of an over-played and emotionally demoralising rom-com right now, this might help you. Now, looking at the title you're probably thinking what is Emily actually going to go on about this time, and you're completely right! I have lost the plot. Or, should I say I've lost the plot with men - because for all the favours life throws at me, I cannot seem to find myself a man no matter what I do. You see, I haven't had the best luck with the opposite sex. I've met a few arseholes in my life, a few that I have trusted and they've completely disrespected me and my private self , as well as been cheated on a couple of times, eight times in fact (I was young and in love so give me a break, I know now that one mistake can be forgiven but twice is a red flag), and just left behind because that particular person wasn't in love with me anymore. Which is fine. I

From 3-11, you were told that education was important, and was taught how to do factors correctly and quickly to ensure you pass your SATS- and not how to deal with family problems at home. From 11-16, you were told that high school is the best time of your life, but was still taught A-grade maths in the hopes of being able to get into college, and not how to deal with your mental health. From 16-18, you were told “we’re going to treat you like adults!” But call home when you’re inconfident in class due to failing, despite loving the subject you want to do - but education is important, right? From being a student since the age of 3, I have had my heart set on an education that means benefiting  me in the long run. GCSE grades, college, uni, travelling, writer, enjoying what I want to do, and what I’m passion about. But little did I know that my love for English literature was going to be moulded into an abyss of depression containing failure, disappointment and the underlining t

Love. Believe it or not, I used to be quite the hopeless romantic. Still am, in some ways more than others. (I mean, I'm an English Literature student so I kinda have to be.) But I'd also say I'm a very monogamous person, and I like being in relationships more than I do being single. But being single for over two years now I've become used to having my own company, and not having to endure stupid arguments at 1am, or having to go through the turmoil of finding a present to get them for Christmas or their birthdays. I used to spend ages in shops looking for things to get my significant other when I realised that materialistic things, such as buying each other gifts, shouldn't show how much you love each other. Love should be more than that. Or maybe I'm just old-fashioned. Who knows. But I don't think love should be a representation of how much or how little you've bought someone something, just like I don't think love should be something people are