goodbye twenty fifteen.

Well, it's the end of another year, another fast year and I'm not sure how I feel about the whole ordeal really. I'm not desperate for the year to end but I'm not desperate for it to continue past 365 days, it's been an average year, starting off pretty poor but picking up around the middle.

At the start of the year, I said I wanted to do more and I think overall I've succeeded...

Rest More 
I definitely didn't do less, but I made sure that if I needed a day off, I had one, or if my brain was telling me to stay in bed for a day (or in a couple of cases, a few days) I did. I still filled my time too much, but overall I think I did alright with that resolution.

Read More
I absolutely smashed this one in comparison to the past few years, and I'm pretty sure I reached my target of 12 books, and I've definitely rekindled my love for getting lost in a book as easily as I can get lost in music.

Do More
Well, 2015 was the year the adventures started... There were many day trips out and mini adventures with friends and family, including a couple of days away with a friend to Selsey, a trip with Kieron and Lai in Edinburgh (wow what an experience that was), a weekend trip to Bath and a week holiday in Weymouth with family. (However, the exercise part of that resolution was unsuccessful...)

Create More
A difficult one to measure... Because of my creative writing course at sixth form, yes I created more and Music In Time Blog's blog posts have gone up to three blog posts a week, so in that sense, yes I've created more this year, and I attempted VEDA on my YouTube channel, however, the rest of the year round there have been little gaps where I didn't upload on MIT Blog and this little corner of the internet was abandoned many times, so that one needs a little work in 2016 I think...

Enjoy More
Accepting my brain can be a little crap at times happened this year, granted after I finished sixth form and was able to never see a certain few people ever again, but that allowed me to make the most of the good days and really live in those moments. It would be fair to say the turning point was August 12th when I went to the middle of a field on a hill and watched a meteor shower with two of my best friends, with exam results the following day... I've managed to truly enjoy trips around the UK and make memories with friends and family that will stay with me for a very long time, so yeah I reckon I did a good job of that one.

The first half of 2015 wasn't particularly great, I smashed my phone screen twice in one month, fell out with a teacher over the partial solar eclipse and a couple of other random events, it started picking up when I passed another A Level and finally left sixth form...
The second half of 2015 have been a big six months, travelling to Edinburgh, Bath, Weymouth, Selsey and many other places in the UK; full of live music and evenings of music chilling playing FIFA, or Articulate (depending on which group of friends I'm with), I also got to see Billy Elliot with my Dad this year, which was an incredible show and is now in my Top 3 musicals...

2015 has also been another year for lots of live music, and I finally got to go to Barn on the Farm Festival (and I've got my ticket for next year too, so that's something I'm hyped about), we went to Wembley to see Doctor Who: Symphonic Spectacular (which was incredible), I saw Rae Morris live (at last), Meadowlark and Amber Run (a couple of times), Little Comets, experienced the end of Edinburgh Fringe, Ryan Keen, S Club 7 (well three of them), The Wombats, Martin Luke Brown, Wheatus (yes I got to sing along to Teenage Dirtbag live!) and The 1975 again.

On the penultimate note of music, here's a quick summary of Music In Time Blog's 365 days... I have been asked to review James Bay's debut album, The Ordinary Boys latest album, Little May's debut album and Billie Marten's latest EP. I've interviewed Little Comets, Stacey Solomon, Lucy Spraggan, Michael Malarkey, Fred Abbot and Jess & The Bandits. And with the help from a very good friend, Tom, Music In Time went live, we had our first showcase as Music In Time Presents... and it went pretty well, there may even be a couple more in the pipeline for 2016...

As always, the last thing to say is a massive thank you to everyone (well all the wonderful people), that have been a part of my 2015...
Gran, Mum, Misty, Dad, Dave, Dave and everyone else in the fab family, for supporting me, encouraging me, keeping me sane and winding me up too...
Billy, Kieron and Lai, for all the incredible adventures in the past few months in particular, the evenings spent in the car listening to music, playing Articulate and consuming however many calories.
TJ for motivating and inspiring me everyday since 19th August. I couldn't have asked for a better person to be going on this venture with and working alongside you has been fun and annoying at times, but always know I'll probably only sulk for 20 seconds...
Jack for the chilled evenings playing FIFA and listening to sad music.
And anyone else that has got me through 2015 in a better state than previous years, little moments, BBQs, gig nights, parties, Thursdays at Theo or Mahlia's, Football Tuesdays, and many many other highlights of the year.

Thank you 2015. It's been pretty good (y)

the small things.

In the last few months, I've had to look after myself a little bit more, I became a little fragile and even though bad days include(d) keeping myself to myself, avoiding talking to other humans and investing my time into writing, tidying and listening to music, I've learnt to find happiness in the small things. 

Throughout 2014, I completed '100 Happy Days' (with a few days lacking in between - but it's something I'd recommend doing), however it meant that every time I did anything that made me remotely happy, I'd take a photo to capture that moment and that continued until the end of the year. Leaving me photos and videos to look over to remind myself of the good times in 2014, even if there were lowlights, it left me focusing on the highs. 

This year, I'd like to focus more on being in those moments and enjoying them as they are, rather than documenting them as much as I did in the previous year, as I want to be sharing my best content rather than some half-arsed photograph that's a bit blurry and doesn't make me feel proud of what I can achieve(?!). This year, my 'memories' project is a 'Best of 2015' jar, where I will write down a moment that I feel I should remember, fold it up and put it in, to be read through at the end of the year. 

However, for now, I will continue finding happiness in the small things, enjoying moments that I should be enjoying and getting through the storm of coursework and exams. 

So, an ending note for this blog is that; in an attempt to remind myself of the things that make me happy (big or small) I will be posting a series of blogs titled '100 Things That Make Happy'... 

Have you got an 'Happiness/Memory Projects' for 2015, if so, what are they and how are they going?

- evan. :)

an end and a beginning.

In the past week I have taken my camera out on a couple of adventures, they were only small, but it gave me an opportunity to take some photos and rekindle my love of capturing moments. 

I was really happy with how a couple of them turned out and thought I could share them with you in a blog - re-learning that blogs can be chilled, short and not have much depth to them - so without further a do... 

First of all are a few photos from a New Year's Eve trip down to Brighton, it would have been rude not to have gone to the pier and taken it all in. 

Then on Friday, (2nd January), my Gran and I went for a little drive to watch the sunset, which turned out to be pretty colourful... 

How did you finish 2014 and how did you start 2015? 

- evan. :)

hello twenty fifteen.

First things first, Happy New Year and welcome to 2015!

Even though I hate the whole ‘new year, new me’ idea, I think it’s good that it fuels people with some motivation to do something for the better and if they can’t find that half way through the year, then why not have resolutions at the start of a year for the 12 months ahead.

Saying that, I haven’t really got any ‘resolutions’, I’m setting mine down as rules more than anything, because I am genuinely fed up with myself saying I’ll do something and never doing it or getting it done.

So here are my five rules that I’ve written out for myself for 2015.

1. Rest More: This is my main one for the new year. I’ve managed to completely wear myself down in 2014, resulting in a few ‘not very good’ moments. I’m not very good at doing nothing, when I can’t sleep I get up and do stuff, usually creative things not linked to the coursework that I should get done when I’m too tired/unfocused in the day. Having more down time is definitely on the list for 2015. Dedicating at least an hour a day to ‘chill’, either listen to music, read, draw, watch something etc. is the plan.

2. Read More: English Lit at GCSE and A Level really put me off reading, having to analyse books and plays made me despise written texts and I’m slowly getting back into it. I’m still not at the level of reading a book in a day which I used to be able to do, but I’m getting there, I think I’d like to read at least 12 books in 2015, that’s a reasonable target; right?

3. Do More: I know this kind of defeats ‘rest more’, but I mean live a little, as in go out a bit more, visit a new place, make an effort with meeting up with people. I’ve got a few ideas for next year, but these need to become plans, I think going to at least one different country would be a good place to start.  Attempting to play a bit more cricket/at least regular exercise is a good shout too…

4. Create More: This kind of links into rest more and do more in two ways… I feel if I want to do what I want to do for a living I should be ‘creating’ more content, which is fine, I need to organise my time to be able to do that – and it should be easier.  However, in my down time, I want to get back into drawing and it’d be nice to take more high quality photos/videos. I really want to get my creative juices flowing again.

5. Enjoy More: I want to be able to do more things that I will enjoy. Unfortunately, the majority of those things are likely to come after I’ve finished A Levels in June, but after that I hope to see a bit more of the world (even if it’s just a bit more of England). I also want to get back to enjoying creating content rather than forcing myself to make content that I don’t necessarily think much of, just because I feel I should post.

So there we have it! Hello 2015, good to see you!

goodbye twenty fourteen.

2014 has gone very fast, maybe a little too fast and just like any other year; it's had its ups and downs. However, I feel like this year has been one of the most extreme roller coasters so far.
I have failed continuity in most things this year and that irritates me. Both of my blogs have been neglected at some point this year, this one more than the other, but I did get two full A Levels in June (which is a plus for my future).

My highlights include passing my driving test, turning 18, mini road trips, my Gran beating cancer, seeing over 50 acts live and sharing moments with family and friends. Lowlights include having to say goodbye to a couple of people and just general crap going on.

There's not really much to say to 2014 and I wouldn't pay to go on that roller coaster again. However, I'm happy I've lived it once to gain some happy moments (and some of my favourite photos), so thank you to everyone that has been a part of it.

Hope you have all had a good Christmas break and go into 2015 well... Enjoy! And see you in the new year :)

2014 Pt. II (link)

2013!

2013 has been a weird year, to say the least. It's been great in some respects, seeing musicians I can now call friends grow and succeed. Learning to drive has been great so far and looking forward to doing my theory/practical soon etc. and of course, I've been on the biggest trip of my life! There's been a few other things as well that have made my year an alright one, BUT 2013 has also been a pretty bad one too.

The challenge I originally set myself was to take a photo every day for a year, I ended up starting a daily blog, which went weekly when exams and A Level stress kicked in, but this blog has opened up so many opportunities for me! I thought it'd be an easy thing to do as it doesn't take much to click the shutter on a phone/camera/iPod and it's something I enjoy doing. Obviously, I had no clue what was going to happen this year, and it prove to be more of a challenge than I thought! The blogs have changed over the year; with them getting better (hopefully you agree too :/) and dipping at the end of the year - sorry about that! Some of the photos have been appalling cop-outs, but others (I feel) have been some of the best I've ever taken! I'm really glad I've done it though, I've been able to sit down, especially in the last few weeks and read through what I've done this year. 

The more the year went on, the less I wrote and the more vague the blogs got and the less enthusiastic I was to get the photos/blogs up on time. This year has been a long one for me and especially my family as a whole. 

I've struggled with stress of exams and exam results (panic attacks were a great running theme through the summer-thankfully dying down after my A Level results), I've vented many frustrations (exams, sports results and injuries, coursework, A Levels in general etc.) but I've also tried giving an insight into what I've done each day/week. 

I've done so much this year, half of it I'd never imagined I'd be able to say I'd done! I've organised a fundraising dinner and live music evening, with (quite a bit of help) from my friends (and family!) but that went insanely well. I've also been to loads of gigs/concerts, Frank, Lauren, Gabrielle Aplin, Girls Aloud, Saint Raymond, Billy Lockett, Andreas Moe, Shannon Saunders, Lewis Watson, Orla Gartland, Daniel James, Izzy Bizu and The Boxettes (to name the ones that really stood out to me). I've seen quite a few good films this year, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Life of Pi, After Earth, Monsters University and of course the much anticipated Hunger Games: Catching Fire. There's also been the massive hype about the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary and saying goodbye to Matt Smith as Twelve last week.I just about got through my AS exams with two Cs and two other grades, I've dropped two subjects and picked up a subject that I'm enjoying - so all's good! My plans for the future have changed A LOT over the year, I'm avoiding Uni for a bit and seeing what opportunities open up, whilst hopefully getting a job/work experience within media or just something that helps me pay for concerts and everything else! I've also been on the biggest trip of my life this year, I've flown for the first time (which was pretty scary!) it was also the first time I'd been further than France. I can't even begin to explain how amazing the Kenya trip was, it's definitely changed my perspective on things, seeing how they live and still continue to be so positive was eye-opening. It was one thing I've always said I've wanted to do and now I can say I have!

Next year, is hopefully going to be a good one! I'm going to continue blogging each week, but not as much about me and what I'm up to and not as many photos, because I want to focus on getting good content out and worthwhile photos. Main things for me in the new year, is to pass my A Levels, get a job/work experience, play at least three cricket matches and stay positive. I've had a nice break from cricket this season, after 10 years of playing pretty much once a week, if not 2 or 3 times, all year round, I'd got bored/fed-up and didn't enjoy it, so hopefully that changes this year! Failing that, I'll take up jogging or something - anything to get fit - I don't enjoy getting out of breath after one flight of stairs (you think I'm joking!)

Thank you's of the year go to my Gran, she's the bravest woman I think I'll ever know, she's had the worst year, but she brushes it off like it's nothing and keeps on going. She's ill, she's fighting but she's smiling. <3
My Mum's been pretty impressive this year too, she never stops and she always puts others first, thank you! <3
Obviously a massive thank you to other family and friends that support me in what I do, got me to Kenya etc. also a massive thank you specifically to Evie, Soph, Mads, Isy, Phil and Lai and a big thank you to Sophie B for all the creative help etc. as well as everything else! I don't really know who reads this, as it's not something that I enjoy talking about and it never comes up in conversation, but to all those that read it - thank you! If this is your first time reading or your 150th, if you've liked any of the photos on FB, shared any links/downloaded or listened to any of the music etc. - thank YOU!

(It wouldn't be a One Day at a Time blog without music/a video/exciting stuffs so here you gooooo...)

2013 video...

2013! (link)

Music of my Year!
I thought I'd put music to represent/cover each month from 2013! Enjoy!

January: Amethyst Blue - Skylarks

Amethyst Blues - Skylarks (link) 

February: Dreams - Bastille & Gabrielle Aplin

Dreams - Bastille & Gabrielle Aplin (link)

March: Collecting Sunlight - Andreas Moe

   Collecting Sunlight - Andreas Moe (link)

April: Black & White - April Keen

Black & White - April Keen (link) 

May: Tiny Chemicals - Frank Hamilton (link)

 Tiny Chemicals - Frank Hamilton (link)

June: Care - Hudson Taylor

Care - Hudson Taylor (link)

July: 17 - George Barnett

 (skip to 44:15)

 17 - George Barnett (link)

August: Summer - Frank Hamilton

Summer - Frank Hamilton (link) 

September: Keep Your Head Up - Ben Howard

Keep Your Head Up - Ben Howard (link) 

October: Paki Rwoth - Watoto Children's Choir

Paki Rwoth - Watoto Children's Choir (link) 

November: Bonfires - Saint Raymond

Bonfires - Saint Raymond (link) 

December: Lonely This Christmas - Frank Hamilton

Lonely This Christmas - Frank Hamilton (link)

Exciting Stuffs... Next year brings more challenges, I will be writing for two blogs and there's an opportunity for me to write for a music website too!
One Day At A Time is moving, and will be written by four different people, Philippa, Isy, Sophie and Me (Evan), we'll be covering different subjects, food, music, art and quotes/lifestyle. So there we go!

Links will be put here very soon, when the links are all set and launched! But for now, keep posted for the last and first as we cross from 2013 to 2014! Happy New Year to you all and see you in the new year, probably on a new blog!

Thanks for Reading! 

Find me and final updates here: https://www.facebook.com/onedayatatimeevan

Also, if you enjoy reading this blog/like music then head to my other blog!

Find my other blog and updates here: http://musicintimeblog.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/MusicInTimeBlog

31st December 2013: thank you and goodnight 2013!

The last couple days of 2013 have been pretty average...

Yesterday, I got up pretty late, because of the long day and late night Sunday. I sorted out blogs, went out to run some errands with Mum, sent an email and got a reply, more about that in the end of year blog... Played some tunes on my uke, played against Misty on a few of her new games, had more wind and rain, so weren't too hopeful about electricity being around for long, but luckily the wind and rain died down and it didn't come to anything! Sorted out a few more things for next years blog and sorted out end of year video stuff a bit more. Chilled in the evening, finally downloaded spotify onto my iPod, if you like music, which in pretty sure a lot of people do, it covers all genres/artists, it's basically great and I'd recommend it to anyone, it's also nice and easy to use!

Today, I woke up half an hour before my driving lesson, and got up even closer to it... That went ok, then came home and started sorting out blog/photos etc. Then spent most of the day sorting those out! Haven't really done much else, listened to quite a bit of music and gone through a lot of photos...

Photos...

30th December 2013: exciting emails, editing and chilling.

31st December 2013: thank you and goodnight 2013!

Thanks for Reading! 

Find me and my photos here: https://www.facebook.com/onedayatatimeevan

Also, if you enjoy reading this blog/like music then head to my other blog, I'll be going full out on it next year, if things go to plan! 

Find my other blog and updates here: http://musicintimeblog.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/MusicInTimeBlog

29th December 2013: a long day in london.

This week has DEFINITELY been different! Christmas 2013, has been and gone! (There's a Kenya video linked at the end if you'd like to watch it as well! :))

Monday, I played Father Christmas, and made my sister a Frank Hamilton calendar, (which she seemed to like when she opened it!) I also got together photos and planned up blogs, however, at about 3 in the afternoon, our power cut out. The wind and rain has been insanely bad where we live, gale force winds, and rain, we lost 8 fence panels that day, including the two me and my step-dad went out at 11.30pm to pull down because they were more of a danger being attached to the post. Luckily, we got the power back just after 7pm. Still, we survived!

Another interesting day Tuesday, Christmas Eve in fact! It started off wet, rain hammering down still mixed with ongoing pretty impressive wind. Visits from grandparents, work done etc. we didn't have any power for most of the day, and it came back on at 7ish?! We opened our Christmas Eve box, which had a chocolate bar for each of us, a hot chocolate for me and Misty, and a cd for Misty too, so we all enjoyed those! We then went for a walk to see the Christmas lights, which is a Christmas Eve tradition, however, it got cut short by the river up the road from us bursting it's banks and flooding surrounding areas. People got evacuated and it aws at the highest I've ever seen it, the field either side of the river, had joined forces with it and basically become one fast flowing water force. We got home and got lots of wrapping done, aaaaand the tree went up!

Christmas Day, was one to remember, I woke up and the house was cold, dark and quiet, there hadn't been any electricity since 2:40am, we slowly got up, and opened our presents from our pillowcases by candlelight, had breakfast, and slowly got up. We chilled out for quite a while, not doing much, sitting on the sofas watching Misty play with some things she got from her pillowcase. 3 things that stood out in my pillowcase, some burgundy and black vans style shoes, chamomile and maple tea (which I'm looking forward to trying!) aaand a stir-in hot chocolate, which looks like it'll be good too!
We gave in and decided it would be a while before we ate our Christmas dinner (if we'd get to eat it!) so we opened the majority of our presents from each other. I got a mix of CDs, t-shirts, iTunes giftcards and Wizard of Oz book collection (which'll take me a while to get through!) Misty got some DVDs, CDs, clothes and horse-riding gear. We played with a few of them etc. and then decided we wouldn't have Christmas dinner out because of lack of electricity etc. we then started getting some food together to have and guess what, the electricity came back on, so we rang the place back and sorted to go there still for dinner. It was seriously good! French onion soup with bread for starter, turkey with stuffing, yorkshire pudding, carrot and parsnip mash, roast potatoes, brussels and sausages, was pretty good! Pudding was hard to eat, because we were all pretty stuffed, but white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake is always gonna be too tempting! Nom.
We got home, through flooded roads etc. and opened the last few presents, Gran loved her jigsaw stuff and Misty and I got Disney Infinity, which is a great game!!
We watched a bit of TV and chilled for a bit, then headed to bed, pretty late!

Boxing Day, a late get up for me, I really wasn't feeling too well, too much food the day before me thinks! But once I did get up, my step-dad, sister and I headed off on some errands. I drove and did pretty well considering! Did lots of parking... which I nailed aha! Dropped off some Christmas cards - better late than never! - picked up some milk and cheese, dropped off some presents to the grandparents, saw family and then headed home again. We then had some nibbles for dinner, which were tasty :) Big Fat Quiz of the Year was watched and Match of the Day, then headed to bed!

Friday, normal time getting up, then editing my Kenya video (which is finally finished and uploaded!) I also started getting together photos from the past year to be put into my End of 2013 video... We had some visitors, so got to see more family and Misty was over the moon when our little cousin turned up as well! :) In the evening we watched the rest of Match of the Day, I drafted my end of year blog, and started planning the first few blogs for my new project next year (which will all be announced very soon!)

Saturday, got up at a reasonable time, Misty went horse-riding and went for a hack. The weather was a lot brighter than what it had been in the past few days, I type up some blogs and prepped them ready to be published. Got on with trying to put together a 2013 video, but I'll be honest, even though I've done quite a bit, I don't feel like I've done that much, don't get me wrong, I've been to Kenya, loads of music events and started driving etc. but last year was so full of different things it was easier to make a video showing a variety of things I'd done... Still, that'll be done in the next few days! :) We went round next door for a couple of hours, which was great, wasn't too many awkward pauses... I survived that without saying anything too random, although there were a few quiet moments near the end, that I had to put an end to by saying random mumbles! Then it was home to do more blog work and watch some TV, watched The Ukulele Orchestra at Sydney Opera House, which was pretty impressive.

Sunday, was a loooooong day, I ventured up to London with Lailana for a very very long day of walking, sight-seeing, handing out hats to the homeless and feeding them too, as well as waiting around to meet Alisa at Waterloo from Germany! As I said, it was a very long day, with a few hot chocolates (seriously recommend the white chocolate one from Costa - it's sooo good!) We went all round South Bank, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Regent Street, Picadilly Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue etc. which was great and we handed out some sandwiches that we'd made on the train up, to give to homeless people, as well as a couple of hats each to keep them warm! One guy refused them, but all the others seemed really grateful, which was nice to see! Got some great photos of Westminister, Big Ben and London Eye as the sun was setting, but was a bit dissapointed with Eros not being in a snow globe anymore? It was still really nice to see all the Christmas lights/decorations scattered all over London though! We had a Nandos at the O2, which was cool, because it was the same one that I had Nando's with Lauren for the EP Release back in October last year! But it was also great because Lai got to see the O2 for the first time, and she got to see it in lit up, which to me is the best time to see it! After that, we headed back to Waterloo and waited around for Alisa, and it was great to see her, weird but great! Then we headed home!

Music of the Week:

I got a fair few CDs for Christmas and iTunes cards, which always come in handy! So, this weeks songs are from there!

First up is the amazing London Grammar, I think they're great and I've been following them on the musical journey for quite a while, having listened to their album A LOT over the past few days, I've found it really hard to choose 'favourites' because they're genuinely all really good! It's definitely a CD I'd recommend if you like HAIM, CHVRCHES, Lorde or Aluna George...

I think I might have already put this on here? BUT it's reaaaally good! It was between this, 'Shyer' and 'Strong' so I suggest you check those out as well!

Hey Now - London Grammar (link)

Next is a song from the Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack, which also great! Loads of variety on there, mix of artists and genres, and they're pretty much all great, I linked a song a week or so ago by Coldplay, which definitely wins out of them all, but I've enjoyed 'Who We Are' by Imagine Dragons, and some other tracks by artists I wouldn't usually listen to! A bit disappointed in Of Monsters and Men, I love their music and everything, but the track on there's a bit samey to their others, but 'Mirror' by Ellie Goulding really stands out! It's clearly written for the film/book, and fits it really well! (If you listen to the words and have seen/read the book/film - you'll know what I mean!) 

Mirror - Ellie Goulding (link)

I also got Lorde's 'Pure Heroine' album and 'The 1975' (two albums I'm surprised I didn't get earlier!) They're great as well! But I've got Bon Iver's albums via iTunes, which I'm really hapy about, I had a few singles before hand, which I listened to during the power cuts, which was great mixed with some Sigur Ros. I've found it really easy to chill whilst listening to Bon Iver recently, and again, it's really hard to pick out a track to put on here as I've been listening to so many on repeat. So I put my iPod on shuffle and have put the one that came up first! Their music's chilled and the videos on their Youtube channel for the tracks are so easy to watch and chill to as well. 

Calgary - Bon Iver (link)

Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3A4A38A32151F5B9

Last up is a track from Harry Seaton, he's an insane singer/songwriter, this is an acoustic version of the song, but I really suggest you grab his EP, he's done some great tracks in the past and I'm pretty sure he'll make it big eventually! Enjoy! 

Shadows - Harry Seaton (link)

ALSO! Here is the long awaited Kenya video from my trip back in October/November... 

Kenya 2013| African Adventures Trip (link)

Photos...

23rd December 2013: wrapping, decorating biscuits and power cuts.

24th December 2013: a flooded and cold christmas eve.

25th December 2013: a christmas to remember!

26th December 2013: lots of driving/parking and chilling.

27th December 2013: seeing family, editing and updating!

28th December 2013: chilling, editing, seeing people and a bit of driving.

29th December 2013: a long day in london.

EXTRA PHOTOS: 

london eye shining.

 

skateboard and shoe graveyard on the bridge.

Basically... There will be an end of year blog coming in the next two days, BUT I will add on Monday and Tuesday onto this blog, so by the end of this blog I'll have done a total of 150 posts... More exciting announcements happening over on the FB page :)

Thanks for Reading! 

Find me and my photos here: https://www.facebook.com/onedayatatimeevan

Also, if you enjoy reading this blog/like music then head to my other blog, I'll be going full out on it next year, if things go to plan! 

Find my other blog and updates here: http://musicintimeblog.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/MusicInTimeBlog

8th December 2013: the start of xmas shopping.

It's been a bit of a weird week overall, I've had another week where I can't particularly remember what I've done, purely because it hasn't been that interesting...
I've had quite a few English Lit lessons where I feel like I've been patronised every time I make a comment, it must be really surprising that I can spell/do work when I understand what we're doing!!
I've also prepped many emails to be sent, but not got round to sending them, too many days later...

BUT I do remember what I did Wednesday, I had a day off (because I had no lessons) got quite a bit done in the morning, had a driving lesson, which went ok, got laughed at quite a bit (no surprise there) mainly because my patience was non-exsistent whilst driving through town. Did club and then went with Evie to go and watch Hunger Games: Catching Fire. I thought it was a pretty good film, although most scenes I think I'd seen through multiple previews here and then, or was it moments of de ja vu? Still, it was close to the book, and lived up to my expectations, I thought it was better than the first one in many ways, and went well with how I imaged the scenes whilst reading the book. It's definitely a good one to watch at the cinema!!

Thursday, I had two English Lit lessons, two frees and a lunch spent playing ukulele, singing and struggling with other people harmonising. Then went to pick Misty up from school and walk her home. I had an evening sleeping, then watched I'm A Celeb, which I've got into this year, then headed upstairs to bed, checked my ipod and a notification came up saying that Nelson Mandela had passed away. As a world, I guess we shouldn't have been surprised, because he had been ill for quite some time and he had lived 93 long years. Saying that, I was surprised at the reactions it got, most people were respectful and stuff, but there were a few views that I'd been oblivious too in the past. I've been taught that Mandela was a well respected man, that fought for freedom for his people etc. I learnt Thursday that people saw him a terrorist etc. and that he killed innocent people, which yeah I guess he did, but he served his time in prison and became one of the most inspirational people not only for black people but for the world. Even the words legend and inspiration don't do him justice in my eyes.

Friday, I got up late, got some stuff done in the morning, went in for Media, got quite a bit done. Had a chilled lunch, walked down to Costa with Lai and Max for a hot chocolate, which was nice. Went to tutor, although they're really starting to annoy me now, don't see the point in going to them, but they're compulsory, so I have to. Went and picked Misty up from school again, went home, had a sleep, did club, came home, watched I'm A Celeb again, my preferred top 3 for the final. Then sat for an hour and a bit planning things for next year, mainly blog things.

Saturday, today's blog prepped, sorted out my room a bit, started getting together photos for end of 2013 video and that was about it.
Sunday, I got quite a bit of work done, sorted out some videos for a friend,filed loads of work into my folders, got a bit of christmas shopping done (still feeling like a scrooge). Also, started planning an exciting project that could be happening and starting to sort stuff out for next year's big blog announcements... :)

Music of the Week!

First up is the credits song from 'Hunger Games: Catching Fire', I've waited out to put this in my blog, so that it went with the one I saw the film in! I am slightly obsessed with this song! :)

Atlas - Coldplay (link)

The official video for this song was released this week, and it's one that crops up on a lot of adverts, especially in last couple of months. It's a song I've loved for ages and is one of my favourites from her album. 

Salvation - Gabrielle Aplin (link)

Next is an older song, but it was rediscvoered when someone played it earlier in the week, and I went home and listened to it over and over again, because that's what I like to do. This guy mesmerizes me and manages to chill me out, whatever mood I'm in. 

Pure Imagination - Jamie Cullum (link)

Penultimately (good word that :P) is from a guy that I've been listening to for the past few weeks every day. I love this genre of music anyway, Sigur Ros, Soley etc. but Bon Iver stands out as one of the best. It's the kind of music you can listen to, fall asleep to, have in the background whilst doing work, or just chill out to. I found it hard choosing a song, but went for this one in the end, just beating Holocene. 

Towers - Bon Iver (link)

Last but not least is a remix of a song that I love at the minute, but this remix has been on repeat every time I've gone on the computer. It's chilled and keeps the key to the original but it's also clearly a remix.

I See Fire (Kygo Remix) - Ed Sheeran (link)

Photos...

2nd December 2013: another monday.

3rd December 2013: getting stuff done.

4th December 2013: a day off and catching fire.

5th December 2013: bon iver, fruit tea and sleep.

6th December 2013: busy morning, hot chocolate and club.

7th December 2013: work, chilling and plans.

8th December 2013: the start of xmas shopping.

Thanks for Reading! 

Find me and my photos here: https://www.facebook.com/onedayatatimeevan

 

Also, if you enjoy reading this blog/like music then head to my other blog, I'll be going full out on it next year, if things go to plan! 

Find my other blog and updates here: http://musicintimeblog.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/MusicInTimeBlog

14th July 2013: sun, books and the sea...

Later post today, got home from a weekend away by the sea quite late today, then got distracted by Jessie's livestream of her concert at Eden Project...
Still, here we go!

Monday, didn't really do much... Wore flip flops for the day... which I regretted after about an hour... ahah!
Tuesday, I had a full day at sixth form, and then spent 2 hours trying to upload the 'Music In Time' blog post for the week, but that didn't go up easily, so I decided to leave it for the night and do it on the Wednesday...
Wednesday saw the 2 week countdown to my birthday :D Also had a pretty pointless day in sixth form, and a very quiet evening at home, as my sister went on a residential school trip...
Thursday, was House Music, we got placed third, which obviously we were alright with, however we weren't the only ones confused by the House that won, and order of placing, but there we go! Went to the concert in the evening, and my Mum and Gran came along too, obviously it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and resulted in a few emotional moments for a few house captains... and a awesome moment of a few of us starting to dance and clap along to the final song and being joined by other sixth formers, to year 7s and teachers... :D (one of the limited proud moments of being a sixth former at our school...)
Friday, my sister came home, I didn't do much at sixth form and then off to Friday Club...
Saturday came, and I washed Mum's car, watched my sister do a bit of horse riding, played a bit of passenger on the ukulele, forgot many things before we then headed down to the coast for the rest of the weekend, on the way down, we stopped off to watch a fly over (from Goodwood's Festival of Speed) from the Vulcan?! It was a pretty awesome sight and sound... Then we had chilled, played some football, had a BBQ, Papa (my Granddad) made some grilled banana things (which despite me hating the texture of...) actually tasted pretty good with some ice cream and maple syrup :) Then a trip to the beach to watch the sun set, and it was massive and reddy/pink...
Then today, slow day really, went to the beach again, had a walk round, got some sea food, had another BBQ, chilled a bit more and then came home...

A good week, lovely weather and everything, but I'm gonna be a typical Brit now, it was a bit too hot at times!! Like now, as I'm writing this it's too hot and I'm dreading trying to get to sleep in it!!

Music of the Week

(One song that absolutely sums up my whole week - purely because it's popped up so much and I've had it stuck in my head cos of House Music...)

Ain't Nobody - Chaka Khan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MF_B-VfHhs

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4sNi2PUiWM

Talk To Me - Lauren Aquilina: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQT_Xv-M7tk

8th July 2013: flip flops for a day...

9th July 2013: full day followed by a pointless 2 hours.

10th July 2013: 2 weeks til my b'day & a quiet house.

11th July 2013: House Music - placed third again.

12th July 2013: the sister's home!

13th July 2013: BBQ'd bananas...

14th July 2013: sun, books and the sea...

AND an extra photo of the Vulcan :) 

Thanks for reading! 

evan. :)

By the way... if you like this blog, you might wanna check out my other one about music... 'Music In Time'... 

BLOG: musicintimeblog.blogspot.com

FB: www.facebook.com/MusicInTimeBlog

Twitter: @musicintimeblog

2nd January 2013: ooh unicorns!

Today,  I got up late, had a bowl of coco pops and did everything I could to avoid English coursework. I've got together the photos for my 2012 video (that I was intending to have finished and posted 3 days ago). I've written the letters for the fundraising evening, had lots of food and listened to multiple albums.
The pile of paper you can see in the left of the photo is the work I should be doing now, but instead I'm writing this and setting up a Harry Potter film to watch with my sister. However, I will make sure I have done at least 2 pieces of PE  homework by 9pm tonight, otherwise I'll posting a very similar photo tomorrow.

I'm thinking that unfortunately, until Monday most of the photos are going to be of my work/cds/computers so I'll try to get one of outside tomorrow, and try and get it on my camera (but I'm currently trying to remember the safe place I put my battery charger).
Also, if you want any music to listen to all the CDs in the photo are great:
 Halcyon - Ellie Goulding
The Evolution of Man - Example
Fools EP - Lauren Aquilina
18 Months - Calvin Harris
Ten - Girls Aloud

evan. :)

Facebook page to follow the challenge on: https://www.facebook.com/onedayatatimeevan

1st January 2013: The Start Of Something New

I've got the High School Musical song stuck in my head!!!
So, to be fair, I guess 2013 is a massive challenge for me. 2012 was a great year so I can't say 'here's to a better year!'. 2012 saw me pass my GCSE's with a sneaky A in PE! Meet, sing Fools and have a Nando's with Lauren Aquilina, and  it saw me wear a dress, yeah with converses, but I was in a dress! Swiftly onto 2013...
There have been many things I've always wanted to do and 2013 seems to be the year! I'm due to go to Kenya in October, my family reckon they're going to get me on the London Eye in fancy dress to fundraise and I might actually do a long distance cycle! As well as these big things, I'm going to be trying to pass AS Levels, get my first half century in women's cricket and I'll be seeing Girls Aloud live. This blog/collection of photos is going to be a day to day account of my year. Either involving a photo of what I've done that day, or something just generally relevant. So without further a do, here we go!

The reason I've chosen this collage as my first photo is mainly because I spent today either doing a dummy run of the fundraising meal I'm going to be holding later this month, sitting down listening to the Skylarks album with their new avid fans (my grandparents and mum) or laying down sleeping. Today went a bit too quickly for me to actually realise I should have taken a specific photo of something so I put this together, tomorrow I promise I'll take a photo of something a bit more interesting. Saying that I am starting to worry that is the first day of 365... wish me luck!

evan. :)