New Stars Shine

Hello! Apologies for being so distant, it has been a crazy few weeks of preparing for university and working. My sister has recently moved to Worthing, which is close to Brighton, and I am most excited! We celebrated her arrival, as well as her 23rd, with a day out in the city, drinks, food, book shopping and lots of fun. More to the point is the reason I am writing today, I wanted to discuss passions. When you were younger what did you want to do when you were older? I went through life deciding different paths, which is perfectly normal, until I went to Africa and then decided that doing good is what I wanted to do. It's not a career like most aspirations, it definitely isn't money oriented, but I don't care. I want to wake up in the morning and go back to sleep at night knowing that I've made some good decisions that day. However for now, I am a receptionist, who works a 40 hour week, going shopping on her day off, and more mundane things. I no longer am dan...

Hello everyone! Air strikes in Syria. I hope all is well with you all and are diving into the festive spirit, before I begin with my blog post this week, I wanted to mention something that cannot be ignored; the air strike plans on Syria. I hope you can agree with me saying that David Cameron, for those who don't know is our UK Priminister, gave the go ahead on us to start bombing Syria, so joining in on what have killed so many. Despite the fact that weeks earlier the same man discussed how bombing Syria would only 'increase terrorism'. So this is ridiculous! I am sure you can agree, this is clearly a bad idea, a horrific idea. We have already spent so much time and money investing in the refugees to come to the UK, to help them, and what do we do to help more? Just go ahead and bomb the place. It's disgusting. Some days I wish I had my say in parliament, or more so, I wish young people did. We are the forefront to the future so why are we letting upper class sno...

Yes it is that time of year! The weather gets colder, coats appear, the John Lewis advert comes on TV and everyone is excited about what advent calendar to get for December. I'm aware it's still November but I believe that because there aren't any holidays in November that gives us justice to start Christmas early! If it wasn't for Halloween we would probably start Christmas when the first leaf falls off a tree! I love Christmas. I love the decor, I love having special bedsheets, I love a reason for comfort food, I ADORE wearing more clothes, the leggings, jumper and Timberland boots make another appearance this year. I love getting people gifts more than anything else! I like November as my month to save up money before I go crazy with gifts in December. That has to be my favourite part of Christmas-the giving. I don't mind as such not receiving anything, but the look on someone's face when they open something they've always wanted brings enough joy fo...

When I joined ICS last June I never thought how far it could take me. I assumed 3 months in Africa would be a chance to volunteer and really help those in need. However it was so much more than that, which you know from my previous blogs. However- What have I learnt? A little girl in Zambia when she found a pair of shoes! I have learnt to accept myself, I may not be skinny, I may not have the perfect complexion, I haven't even got good fashion sense or home style! Yet I am happy with my morals. I know now that my life, a life, is incredibly valuable. And you only have 1, so why not make the most out of it? I'm Okay! An underfed dog roaming the pits of Keembe, Zambia  Compared to the lives of people, who struggle to get water, or have to sacrifice an education to help their families. People that don't have a choice in their life, whether that's with their sexuality, or who they marry! My decisions I can make myself, and whilst I was in Zambia I realised j...

The most beautiful smile of them all from a five year old with nothing. I am only 19 bear in mind. NINETEEN! Yet anyone who has been in a rural tribal village for 12 weeks can agree that their lives change in enormous ways. Before August I spent two years at college studying English and Performing Arts, a LOT of fun but I never felt it was for me. I also spent three years in my free time volunteering for the National Citizen Service, I learnt so many skills and met so many fantastic people I knew that helping people was my choice. So I took the challenge and spent three months in Africa. A stunning sunset It was incredible. Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of children singing their ABC, looking out at the fantastic sunrise and knowing that every single waking moment you are trying your very hardest to do good for the community. Every morning it was a quick trip to the water pump just so you can bath, drink and eat. It sounds difficult and displeasing, it was when...