"You Do You, You Be You"

Hey Guys, 

So, I guess I did my usual thing of disappearing from the internet, well at least this little part of it! But here I am at 1AM writing a little reflective post for you all. 

I have seen so many memes going around facebook about how terrible 2016 has been for a lot of people and so many people agreeing with them and saying how they can't wait for 2017 to start. However from my opinion 2016 has been just like every other. There have been ups and downs, sure, but its what you make of those ups and downs and what comes out of that, that makes your year better. 

I'm not saying I'm any better off than anyone else, yes I am part of a country that voted to leave the EU, did I agree with it? No. But as a country, we have made our bed and now we have to sleep in it. there could be a whole other post about the politics of it all but I feel that would just start an argument so I am just going to leave it at that, What I am trying to, and undoubtedly failing to say is you just have to face what comes at you. and look to it with positivity. 

The year started out terribly with a few failed attempts at feeble relationships and Barely passing through the first year of uni, but then I turned over a new leaf, I met my amazingly supportive boyfriend,  I decided my degree was the most important thing to me and that 90% of my time and energy would be focussed on bettering myself and learning from the previous years mistakes (of course I keep 9.5% of my time for my boyfriend and 0.5% for work need to earn a bit of money after all). 

I conquered my anxieties and flew 4723 miles to Canada on my own (I realise I could have chosen somewhere closer to home but it was what I felt most comfortable with, knowing there was someone waiting for me the other end, a place to stay, people I knew and could talk to) It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. those of you who know me, know I am not the most talkative or outgoing person, I'm the girl that would rather hide at the back of the class so that the teacher wouldn't pick on me, Doing this forced me to talk to people, it pushed me to my limits and I came out better for it. 

I even got a tattoo as a little reminder to myself that I can do anything, I don't need to let my mental health hold me back. Yes, I still have bad days where I'd rather not move from the comfort and reassurance of my bed, feeling sick to my stomach with nerves, but that's all par of the cause, I will have those days but I get up and get on with it because I know I'm strong enough that I can conquer anything. 

Now I'm a third of the way through my second year, struggling but doing ok, keeping my head above water and staying up to date. I've just celebrated 6 months with my boyfriend and I feel like I am finally in a positive place, in the right place, and that's where I belong. 

I know this one was a deep one, but I can't wait to see what the next year brings. 

what's your experience with 2016 so far? 

Love,

B

xxx

A Weekend Away

Hey Guys,

Sometimes the best adventures are right on your doorstep.
This is something I 100% agree with, yes I'm like everyone else it is nice to get away, fly somewhere exotic, heck I was one of those people back in July, creating my own memories in Canada, but it is so much more exciting exploring what your own country has to offer.

Back in August my boyfriend George (Instagram linked) surprised me, as much as he could, by taking me away for the weekend.

It started on Thursday night, I took the train from my town to his (it's in the interest of privacy that I don't name them) where we drove around for a bit before heading back to his so I could meet his parents.
The thought of finally meeting them after 3 months together terrified me, I didn't know what to expect  as this was my first time meeting anyone I was datings parents!
They couldn't have been nicer, and in the end, I felt silly for being so nervous about it, I guess the need for their approval of me meant so much to me.
The next morning we got up very early,   as in 5:00 early! and we were in the car driving by 5:30 George did all the driving, and for the first few hours I slept. By 10:45 we were there, we had made it to Bude, Cornwall. We couldn't get into our apartment till 3:00 so we just explored Bude sat for a bit and got a little something to eat, we sat in the car for a little while and had a nap before giving up waiting, we headed to Morrisons to pick up some essentials and then went to check into the place we were staying and chilled there for the rest of the day.

On Saturday we got up early and headed to a little place in devon called 'Becky Falls" oh the irony! I think it turned into one of our favourite places on the trip. we hiked all the way around the wooded area and then the adventurous side of us took over and we hiked up the rocks on the falls right to the top! it was great fun and not necessarily something I would normally do!

 From 'Becky falls' we headed over to Clovelly, Clovelly is this little town/ village set into a hillside with cobblestone pavements it is a beautiful little place especially with the sun shining down how it was! however, with the hill it was on was so steep I felt like I needed new lungs by the time we walked back up to the car!

 A bit further up from the beach there was a waterfall, a kind of pirates cove that the water ran down in front of, it was pretty spectacular and the cool water was a welcome relief from the heat

when we were finished there we headed back to the apartment for some dinner and an early night after a full day of exploring we were exhausted!

The next day we had a bit of a lay in before heading down to Dartmoor
~you know the film "we bought a zoo?" featuring Matt Damon? yeh?~
well, that's where we were heading. Dartmoor zoological park, there wasn't much there but then you weren't really paying much to get in!

After we had finished at the zoo we called back into Plymouth to break up the drive back to where we were staying. we had a wonder around and walked over to the lighthouse where they had a classic and modern car show which I let George loose to enjoy at his own pace! it got too hot at that point and we ended up going to paddle our feet in the sea  it was a lovely day, though!

We headed home then to get changed before heading to the pub for dinner. 

If you are down in Devon I highly recommend 'The Thatched Inn' for a bite to eat. friendly staff and tasty food 

http://www.thethatchedinn.com 

 From then we headed to Hartland Quay to watch the sunset, it's one of the most beautiful places in Devon especially with the weather how it was and it was definitely very romantic thing to do! 

  

On our last day there we headed up to Lynton and Lynmouth to spend a little time there before making the long drive home. 

All in all, it was a perfect weekend and we learned that we could spend time together without any arguments (unless you count who's paying?) and without judgement. 

I am so lucky to have found someone like him 

where are some places you find beautiful and awe-inspiring in the country you live? 

All my love, 

B xxx

Post Canada: The Up and The Downs and Everything In-Between

Hey there! 

So, I know that this post has been long awaited but as always life got in the way and I ended up doing other things, as opposed to writing this post. Here I am now sitting down laptop keyboard at the ready, writing. 

As I am writing this it is exactly 3 weeks and 5 days since I landed back in London from Canada, and honestly it was one of the best trips I have ever been on. 

My chance to get away from everything, to relax and destress, and above all else, visit some amazing people. 

So, let's start with the flights! in total, I was up in the air for approximately 11 hours. It was definitely a very long flight, but well worth it. 

I was definitely feeling some anxiety towards it, leaving my parents at the airport, and the impending layover in Vancouver, but all of that anxiety was overshadowed by the thought of going to one of my favourite places in the world. 

I am used to the safety net of my parents, especially when travelling, with my mum sat next to me, my dad paying for everything and mum looking after all the important documents. 

This time, it was all down to me. I had to look after my own passport and tickets. Make sure I made it to the gate on time without delay, and to board my flight when called. That full 9 hours' was definitely not fun having no one to talk to, however on my second flight which was kind of a bit scary, there was a kind guy about my age that could maybe sense my apprehension, because he kept the conversation going, talking about England, why he was back in Canada and telling me about the area I was going to! I wish I knew his name, we were so caught up in getting off the plane and finding our families that we never said goodbye and I didn't get to thank him!

My first week there was a very quiet one. I was getting over my JetLag, Relaxing and also just having fun with someone of the kids. We took one of the girls to swimming every morning and then to the bakery to get a doughnut or a cookie, whatever sweet treat we fancied that day :). 

By Saturday I was over my JetLag we woke up relatively early and went up to the Kelowna craft and farmers market, It has been raining most of the morning so most vendors had given up and surrendered to the elements  but there were still a few people there, it was nice to just browse the stalls before moving on to our final destination! the little town of Merrit. 

We were there visiting some more cousins, picking up a few bits and heading home. 

That night we had planned to go to the drive in, but as we got there the 'Sold Out' signs appeared, so instead we ended up at the good old Tim Hortons "drowning our sorrows" in hot chocolate and doughnuts... Yes, I seem to have eaten a lot of Doughnuts this holiday haha!  

On Sunday we slept in a bit before we got in the car and drove up to Revelstoke, to do this new attraction called the pipe! The Pipe is this mountain coaster that you have to get in a gondola to reach the top, then  you come back to the bottom. the whole ride takes about 6 minutes, it's terrifying and fun but worth giving it a try, putting those nerves aside and taking that leap of faith, you should always try and do something new and scary because 90% of the time, its worth it. 

Despite all the fun I had hanging out with family, playing with puppies and just getting away from life in general, it was soon back to reality. I could write so much more, but I have already waffled on so much. 

The final thing I will say is that saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I feel I have ever had to do, even now thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. 

Going on this trip was the best thing I could have done, I learnt my limits, I learnt who I am and most of all, I learnt that my Anxiety doesn't hold me back anymore. Yes, it will always be a part of me but My life is an open road and I can handle anything.

All My Love, 

B xxx

A Few Days to Go...

Hey Guys, 

Wow! Time really does fly huh? 

I cannot believe it was nearly 5 months ago, I posted my first blog post about going to Canada, and as I am writing this, it is literally 2 days till I go!

So, I thought I would write a little post about how I am feeling with it being so close to going, and the things I am looking forward to most! 

It seems so surreal that in just 48 hours I will be in Canada, a place that in a strange way has always kind of felt like home. 

On Monday (4th July) it will be 3 years since we last went! That's Crazy! 

The older I get, the more I am wondering where the heck these days are going! So, with that, I am realising I need to make the most of every day, to live without regrets and also most importantly, Be Happy! 

I am mostly looking forward to experiencing this adventure, without the rest of my family, it will be a new experience for me and will also test my boundaries in ways they have never been pushed before! 

An 11-hour flight, with a layover that I have never done before, is definitely a daunting prospect, but it also one that I am looking forward to and I am ready to face it head on. 

3 years ago I would have never been able to do anything like this, so I am proud to say I am going to do it! 

So, I say, do something that scares you!  If you don't, you will regret it

and take every opportunity you can. 

Until Next Time! 

Love, 

B xxxxx

The End Is Near

Hi Guys! 

So, By the title of this post you probably think this is going to be a very dramatic piece but honestly that isn't my intention. 

I know i haven't written a post in a while but as always life gets in the way and things had to go on the back burner, this blog was one of those things! 

I know, I know I'm sorry that it keeps happening but as a good friend once told me, " My blog isn't going anywhere, Take time to get the important stuff done"

I have titled this post The End is Near because as I write this I have 14 days till my hand in for my university course, 14 days of stress and consuming a lot of coffee. Thats 14 days till I have finished my first year at Norwich University of the Arts. 

And honestly I wouldn't change any of it for the world. 

I have met amazing people, that have been so supportive and helpful, and I don't think i could have got through it all without them.

Looking back it is crazy and scary how quickly the last 6 months have gone and it is also scary how it is all nearly over. 

It all comes down to these last 14 days 

The last 6 months have been a whirlwind of friendship, stress, relationships and happy moments, it really has been the best experience of my life and i can't wait to embark on the next 2 years of my life at this University!

Thank You so much for taking the time to Read my post,

Love, 

Becca xxx

An Adventure of a Lifetime

Things happen, we can't change that. 

For a long while now i've just wanted to escape, for me, my escape is Canada, its family, its being off the grid for a while.

This weekend, with the help of my lovely cousins, I decided that I was going to do something that scares me. 

Yes I have anxiety, so doing this literally terrifies me, it puts me out of my comfort zone. But its what I want to do. 

This July I am going to be planning a trip to Canada to stay with my family there. On my own. 

An 11 hour flight with a change, something I have never done before, and it will just be me. 

I am looking forward to it, I am in a place financially where I can afford to go and I am in a position where I can stay with family so I won't be alone for long. 

It will be a great opportunity for me and I plan to document the entire thing for you guys cause its my first trip I've ever done alone and I can't wait to embark on the planning and travelling. I also want to be able to document how I am feeling how my anxiety is holding up and the adventures I will get up to! 

Love Always, 

B xxx

Thank You for 1000 Views!!!

Hey Guys, 

Hope you are all well and are prepared/ excited for the christmas festivities to begin! 

It still feels rather surreal that I am writing this post, because i can't quite believe we have done it. 

We have reached 1,000 views on this blog. 

Image found on google

When I started this little space on the internet back in 2013 I never dreamed it would get this far. For me it started as a kind of diary thing where i would just share what i was getting up to and really I started it because I just thought it would be fun to do! I wasn't very regular with my uploads (Heck I'm still not!) but thats because life always has a habit of getting in the way (At least I'm getting out of the house though hey ;). 

Since starting my Lifes Little Update  back up with a semi-regular upload it has turned into a place where I can write about things I am passionate about, things that have been on my mind for a while and also still as a place where I can write about what I have been getting up to!

I guess all that is left to say is a huge thank you to everyone that has been reading my blog, the people who have supported me from the beginning. Thank you to those who have returned post after post to keep reading! And to those who have just stumbled upon my ramblings about life. Welcome. I hope you stay and continue to follow my journey through life. 

I am only 18, I have the rest of my life ahead of me, and I hope you will join me on my journey into the unknown. 

I will see all you lovely people on Sunday, with a regularly scheduled post, have an amazing christmas! 

Love, 

B x

P.s. If you have a blog, share it with me in the comments below, I would love to find out more about you :) 

University Part 2

Hey guys! 

So, after I posted university part 1 I fully intended to post a part 2 a week later. 

However I got swept up with university life and found it hard to keep on with my blog and getting my assignments done! 

What can I say, 7 Weeks later  and my fears and anxieties are gone. With commuting to Norwich I found it quite hard having got be up at 6:00 every morning just to be in for lectures starting at 9:00 it was physically draining especially with my recent increase in hours at work. i was getting to the point where something was going to have to give. 

I can say now that after the first week i was only having to be in for 9:00 twice a week which made it so much more bearable! and being in work for 7:30 on a Saturday became easier and easier, it is really all about adapting your sleep patterns and your body getting accustomed to the early starts ( it helped that I do drink a lot of coffee!!!!)

I have made so many new friends, that my mum calls "my own kind" which i find quite funny, I am really enjoying my course and I am learning a lot! 

However when we go into workshops we get given a number and told to go stand with the other people that have that number, this is quite a downside when you get split up from the friends you've made an effort to make! 

Despite this it hasn't put me off going into uni, the lecturers and really good and passionate about the subject but they are also willing to help if you need it. I was really struggling at first, I didn't know how to use my camera in manual mode and I also didn't have a clue about the lighting equipment, this was only because the equipment at my old school was very minimal and we barely got to use it. I was like a fish out of water. It was good to make friends that were in the same position as me. 

By far, the best part about my University if our Friday morning lectures, yes it is an early morning one, however each week is a different guest lecturer, some are students that have graduated in previous years and others and fully fledged photographers that have had a long career! It makes me excited to continue with the course and get somewhere. 

The people on my course are all so lovely, we all get along with everyone which makes it so much easier when we get split up into groups. Like today for example, none of my friends were in my workshop because of other things going on and we got split into groups for our lighting workshop (Disclaimer: I had worked with the people in my group before) and the rest of my group helped to put the equipment up ( something I'm still getting my head around) and we just had fun with what we were doing, I haven't laughed that much in  a long while. 

For anyone that is worried about starting university in September ( I know its less that a year away but still!) I would say don't be, it is one of the best experiences you could have, everyone else is in the same position as you, and there is always help available if you need it. I have always been quite a shy reserved person but I found just going up to people on your course and saying "Hi" is one of the best things you can do! 

And just remember, Be you, there is no one else better. 

Love, 

Becca xx

P.s. If you want to read my photography blog i have put together for my course the link is:

rebeccaedwardsphotography.blogspot.co.uk

Once In A Lifetime

Hello :)

So, today I thought I would write about something that was a HUGE! achievement for me...

2 nights ago [Sunday 6th September] I was invited, last minute, to go see The Foo Fighters at the Milton Keynes Bowl.

So of course I said yes not wanting to pass up such an opportunity by the time we got there my anxieties had started to build, over thinking every little detail, which i soon forgot because we were some of the first 2,000 people there meaning we got purple wrist bands allowing us access to the 'inner pit' which is a cornered off area next to the stage. Now if you think about it, The National bowl at milton keynes hold 65,000 people and it was a sold out concert, to be in that 2,000 is incredible! 

photo credit: google images

Just as the immense size of the crowd dawned on me, and my anxiety started to build a band called 'Royal Blood' came on and suddenly all that worrying and anxiety left. and i was able to enjoy the spectacular going on in front of me. 

Royal Blood was shortly followed by Iggy Pop! he definitely left me questioning what on earth I had just watched, He certainly puts on quite a show for a 68 year old! And some of the things he was doing made me think 'Why am I still watching this?'

When The Foo Fighters finally came on they put on an epic performance!  Every single person there was fully engrossed in what was happening on the stage, they were going crazy... Mosh Pits were breaking out left right and centre... one happened right in front of me about four times and I can honestly say it is the most terrifying and exciting thing to experience. Fully Grown body flying at you from all directions... even though I was on the side lines. 

By the time the Foo Fighters ended i was ready to sit down, we had been standing in place like sardines for about 8 hours, but it was well worth it! 

I can honestly say i am proud of myself! Proud that I was able to go and not have a panic attack... that is something that I would have never been able to do 2 years ago. Before I got help. 

I suppose this just goes to show that things can get better! 

Love, 

Becca 

Exam Results... EEEK!

Hey Guys!

I'm so sorry I have missed three upload days. I found that I didn't really know what to write about. However out of nowhere I have found that inspiration. 

So, for many of us in the UK the last two weeks have really been hell. Last week for me was A Level results day, where we get given results from a standardised test which are designed to test your memory rather than how good you are at the subject. I took combined English, Media and Photography. All subjects that I love however, It comes down to the fact you need to write a certain way or edit photos in one singular way... Our whole lives we are taught to be true to ourselves and express who we are. If this was truly the case, why are we made to do something one set way? That I just don't understand!

photo credit to google images

Now don't take what I just said the wrong way, I did quite well in my A Levels... All things considered. In my mind as well I don't think i would have got that far without the amazing support network my college had to offer or the immense support my family gave to. 

To get into my first choice university I needed to get three Bs. This is what the university has said I should achieve to be able to get when I was predicted two Bs and a C... I did not get this when results came out.

We are told that results are everything that they shape our future. Letters on a page tell you what you can and can't do, when in reality we make our own future, we define who we are as a person. This is something that a bit of paper can't do. I once knew someone that didn't take her GCSEs to prove a point. She wanted to prove to everyone that you don't need qualifications to get a job and you can still do well for yourself regardless.

This just proves that it isn't the end of the world if you don't get the "right" grades. There are always options available to you no matter what happens.

At the end of the day I was lucky despite not getting the conditional 3 B's, because I was still accepted into my first choice University.

As teenagers in todays world we are lucky to be able to go further than our parents may have had the opportunity to.
We get out of the world, what we put into it. If you work hard for what you want then you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

Just remember to breath!

Love,
Becca

My Hectic Life

Hey Guys,

So, I have been quite hectic recently, what with the last day of school for study leave and other things going on, So I haven't been able to sit and write a post in the last 21 days. 

Here is a little update on what has been going on and what is going to be happening in the next few weeks. 

So most recently I have been seeing someone, his name is Adam and we get on really well. he makes me incredibly happy and i cant wait to see where things go with him or even if things will progress any further. I have also been keeping in touch with friends and family in Canada, but it makes me said that I cant be there with them, I can only be a face on a computer screen seeing each others bedrooms and not the beautiful country that surrounds them. 

Back to this country though what has been going on....

Last Friday (15th May) was the last day of sixth form (which would be the last 2 years of high school for american readers). It was a sad day, because a lot of the friends I've made in the last two years I might never see again, but that's a sad fact of life, you lose some friend but you also gain some, and you keep in touch with the special ones like this one...

So this week has also been a hectic one... I met up with a friend on Monday and got some revision done... probably the only bit of revision I've done all week #procrastination. I have found I am an expert at procrastination and its  good thing my exams aren't until June otherwise I would be screwed!!!

and finally we get to Wednesday the best day of all, I passed my driving test first time, which is very rare for my family, I have been told that I am the third in the family line to have done that, and i am so excited that i have finally done something better than my brother! 

That is about all for now though so I will catch up very soon!

Love, 

Becca xx