Lust for Learning.

Learning should never stop. I believe that with my whole heart. Just because you’re done with school (be it college, or a degree, or an MA or whatever...) I don’t think you should stop learning. I don’t think you should WANT to stop learning. If there comes a day where you don’t want to learn anymore – there’s a problem. I hope there isn’t a day that I don’t want to learn anything else, because that might mean that I think I know everything or that I know enough – I will never know enough.

Anyone who doesn’t understand, I sort of feel sorry for. Not in a mean way, I just think it might be quiet lonely to never want to know anything else about anything. I like that I get hungry to learn things; it’s a good thing. I’m sure there are people out there in the world, or even the near vicinity, who think that I’m a swot, or a bit nerdy, or just all-around lame but I honestly don’t care. Because one day, I will be able to hold my own in most conversations and feel confident about what I have learned and the opinions that I have formed from my own research and learning.

Recently, I have read two books that have taught me so much about areas that I could never have studied in a dedicated institution (school, college, university) because they aren’t part of the faculty that I put myself into by choosing to study what I did at University. I am so grateful for the fact that I find these books engaging and useful because, on a rather cliché note, I will be a better/more rounded person for reading them and exploring many other subjects that I haven’t studied.

THE SKELETON CUPBOARD: The Making of a Clinical Psychologist . (Prof. Tanya Byron)

“The Skeleton Cupboard is Professor Tanya Byron's account of her years of training as a clinical psychologist, when trainees find themselves in the toughest placements of their careers. Through the eyes of her naive and inexperienced younger self, Tanya shares remarkable stories inspired by the people she had the privilege to treat. Gripping, poignant and full of daring black humour, this book reveals the frightening and challenging induction faced by all mental health staff and highlights their incredible commitment to their patients.”

Featuring emotionally harrowing passages on child abuse, dealings with a physically abusive and psychotic patient, treating an older German-Jewish patient (who survived Auschwitz) now suffering from dementia who believes that in every shower she takes she is being exterminated. As well as exploring the lives of drug dependant patients, the fluctuations of T-Cells of HIV positive patients, and lastly a stand-out section on a young girl suffering from a malicious eating disorder.

Whilst all the above combined doesn’t sound like such a cheery book to read, it’s worth it. There are light moments; happiness within families brought closer together, congratulations on various remissions from disease and what seems to be an everlasting stream of hope for a better future running throughout.

Because Professor Tanya Byron is so academically decorated it makes reading the book very easy and enjoyable; believable, real and emotive. Whilst giving details of treatment procedures, the book also provides insight into the lives of various medical professionals that we as outsiders couldn’t ever fathom.

For someone who already had interest in the psychological world, I would majorly recommend this book. For someone who has no interest in the psychological world, I would recommend the book purely to learn about the human race and their feats.

DO NO HARM: Stories of life, death and brain surgery. (Dr. Henry Marsh, CBE and FRCS.)

I’m only a third or so through this book, but I’m already hooked. The chapters are split into medical diagnoses for example; Pineocytoma, Aneurysm, Haemangioblastoma etc and reading through the Aneurysm passage – I genuinely believe I could clip an Aneurysm if needed. Obviously, literally, I couldn’t but in theory I could.

"What is it like to be a brain surgeon?

How does it feel to hold someone's life in your hands, to cut into the stuff that creates thought, feeling and reason?

How do you live with the consequences of performing a potentially life-saving operation when it all goes wrong?

In neurosurgery, more than in any other branch of medicine, the doctor's oath to 'do no harm' holds a bitter irony. Operations on the brain carry grave risks. Every day, Henry Marsh must make agonising decisions, often in the face of great urgency and uncertainty.

If you believe that brain surgery is a precise and exquisite craft, practised by calm and detached surgeons, this gripping, brutally honest account will make you think again. With astonishing compassion and candour, one of the country's leading neurosurgeons reveals the fierce joy of operating, the profoundly moving triumphs, the harrowing disasters, the haunting regrets and the moments of black humour that characterise a brain surgeon's life.

DO NO HARM is an unforgettable insight into the countless human dramas that take place in a busy modern hospital. Above all, it is a lesson in the need for hope when faced with life's most difficult decisions."

The book illustrates the neuroses that brain surgeons themselves go through – the tension and pressure of holding a scalpel to the section of the brain that controls motor function; you could rid someone of their basic motor skills. Holding a scalpel to the temporal or frontal lobes? You rid someone of everything that makes them who they are and wipe away their memories as quick as condensation on your bathroom mirror.

 I don’t know if I could cope under the pressure of holding peoples’ lives in my hands – or worse than that, if you don’t actually end up killing someone, you could just remove their ability to move or talk or see or hear and surely that’s a fate worse than death – being an alive being trapped in a coffin of a lifeless body; unable to interact with the people you love.

Because I’m not quite finished with this book yet I can’t give it a definitive review but I get the feeling I will enjoy it and benefit from it as much as I did from Tanya Byron’s book. Henry Marsh became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in 1984, which is home in London and plays host to the fabulous Huntarian Museum which I visited with my boyfriend earlier on this year.  The museum holds a vast collection of weird and wonderful things and if you too have an obsession with the morbid and medical, I would absolutely recommend taking a trip when you’re next in London.

Overall, these are just two examples of books I have read this year that I have learned amazing things from. Of course I could just read all of the information online, but when people like Tanya Byron and Henry Marsh bother to make the information readily accessible and enjoyable – why not take advantage?

I will always yearn for more knowledge and to learn about things and I think you should too. Learn Russian. Learn the phonetic alphabet. Something. Anything. J

Another Baking Blog - Macarons with Jols!

When you’re life is stressing you out, I have found that baking helps. Creating something that you have complete control over makes a nice change to living constantly in the whirlwind of landlords, banks, bosses and other pains in the ass. 

So it’s Friday, the last day before the heaving weekend shifts in the bar and I decided to rope in a friend, trained pastry chef don’t you  know, and have a go at Macarons. Having been introduced to Macarons at Lauduree in Harrods by my boyfriend (also trained Chef) my heart was sold. Give me Salted Caramel, Orange Blossom, Rose or Violet macarons and my day is made – hell, my week is made. 

However because I’d practically forced Jols to make macarons with me, I  pretty much let her choose flavours. Eventually we went with dark chocolate and raspberry and then dark chocolate and coconut. The left over dark chocolate from someone’s birthday seemed to be a recurrent theme in our recipes.

With my head spinning in the differences between italian and french meringue, plus likes of The Meringue GirlsCookbook and all the fabulous flavours and colourings, I had done my research and I was raring to go.  

Unfortunately, we fell at the first hurdle. We’d run out of sugar. 

A (semi) quick trip to Sainsburies and a Starbucks coffee later – we’re back in the kitchen. First up were the macarons that were meant to be black. Black and red we thought, how decadent and daring. Our black turned out to be more grey-ish, but it still looked pretty good with the red sprinkles on top. 

Those grey-ish macarons became our fresh raspberry and dark chocolate macarons. 

Next up, we let little Max (Jols’ son) sprinkle on some decimated Coconut and we created our next masterpiece – toasted coconut and dark chocolate. 

Only then did we get to big for our boots and attempt lemon macarons. Sadly, after a small oven malfunction, our pretty pale lemon mixture turned into grilled cheese when someone (naming no names) put the grill on, rather than the oven.

So, no lemon macarons but plenty of raspberry, coconut and dark chocolate ones.

And some homemade marshmallow to boot - keeping the little one happy.

Overall, I think we did good and we had nothing but good reviews. 

Hopefully you guys think they look as good as they tasted.  

Lex Online - YouTube Creators: A Few of My Favourites.

In today’s Internet-Age, it seems only logical that people my age don’t watch television that much anymore. I certainly don’t. Well, the odd American TV Series every now and again, but nothing religiously. (Alright, aside from Grey’s Anatomy, but that doesn’t count.) Okay, okay. People still watch TV, but what I’m really trying to say is that people watch LESS television now. I, for one,  spend a lot of time watching people on Youtube which seems like an odd concept,  but it’s the television of today only more interactive, more personable and more accessible. 

I thought I would give you a rundown of my favourite Youtube Creators, listing their various traits, talents and topics. Quite a lot of the time, these clips of their lives on Youtube inspire and educate me – I hope they do the same for you. 

Carrie Hope Fletcher.  (ItsWayPastMyBedTime)

Carrie’s been on Youtube since March, 2011 and in that time she has amassed a whopping 500,158 subscribers on YouTube.  Carrie was one of the first YouTube creators that I watched religiously, and since her start on the web she has become a household name in one of the biggest West End Shows; Cameron Mackintosh’s Les Miserables. Having played Young Eponine years earlier, Carrie is now playing Eponine as an adult – she says it had always been her dream to play older Eponine. 

Aside from being West End Star, Carrie is also writing her own book, keeping up a blog, regularly posting on her YouTube account and writing her own music. She produces videos running a theme of her ‘big sister’ vibe, she gives her following of ‘hopefuls’  advice and posts regular ‘Ask Carrie’ videos where she strives to provide information, reassurance and charming anecdotes from her life.

Boys In Books Are Better is a hilarious homage to all the wonderful characters in Carrie’s favourite books that is the culmination of everything Carrie; books, the inclusion of her fans, singing and making people smile. 

Unfortunately, recently some of Carrie’s messages have been lost in a cloud of controversial issues surrounding her private relationships involving other YouTubers; some YouTube viewers and creators can be unforgiving and without knowing the full stories - the community can be quick to judge. Carrie has navigated the situation that she didn’t bring upon herself with grace and honesty.

Carrie Fletcher is a member of John and Hank Green’s DFTBA (don’t forget to be awesome) and this links her to my next favourite Youtuber...

Charlie McDonnell.  (CharlieIsSoCoolLike)

Charlie is an equally as British, equally as charming member of DFTBA as Carrie.

The first YouTuber I ever saw consecutive videos by; Charlie made a cup of tea, filmed it and it went viral. His quintessential British life online has collected 2,377,747 subscribers and he’s now huge everywhere – a regular at conventions such as LeakyCon, VidCon, Playlist Live and Summer In The City. 

Charlie originally started with funny little skits and songs that he’d written. He’s now progressed onto explaining tricky science in layman’s terms with concise logic but also comedy, participating in charity events and of course, commenting on some of the more controversial topics surrounding the YouTube community currently. Early- Charlie also took part in the Trock movement; Time Lord Rock, writing songs about Doctor Who with his band Chameleon Circuit which featured Micheal Aranda among other You Tubers. 

Charlie now focuses mainly on making short films and at this year’s upcoming VidCon in Los Angeles, he will be hosting his own meet-up and panel based on the production side of creating short films. From what I can gather, rather adorably, it seems that Charlie is still in complete awe that his hobby of making videos at his home computer in Bath now pays his bills and allows him to travel wherever and whenever he wants. 

One of my favourite Charlie videos is one of his earliest – he doesn’t use this the intro anymore but now he has a fabulous end card voiced by none other than THE Stephen Fry which emphasizes Charlies quintessentially British attitude. 

Louise Watson, nee Pentland. (SprinkleOfGlitter)

Mum of one, Louise is full of joy, glitter and enthusiasm.  1,446,552 subscribers watch her weekly/biweekly videos featuring her darling baby girl, ‘baby glitter’ otherwise known as Darcy and her husband Matt. Louise’s husband, not Darcy’s; that would be weird. 

Louise’s videos range from DIY Craft videos, to make up and fashion hauls, to family life as well as coping with marriage and having a young-one around. Louise quite often defends herself against what she calls the ‘Mummy Mafia’ who leave comments and messages for Louise, telling her she’s not looking after her child properly or not conducting her married self in an appropriate way, but I honestly think she’s one of the best mother’s I’ve seen. 

Not only is Louise raising a baby girl, she’s hosting her YouTube channel, attending conventions and inspiring viewers left right and centre. By the looks of it, she never stops, yet still manages to succeed at all of the above. Darcy is never sad or massively misbehaving, on camera, which speaks volumes about Louise’s ability as a mother – makes me wish people wouldn’t bash her so much. I’d like to see them try everything Louise has accomplished. 

Louise is completely real on her YouTube channel and doesn’t struggle to bring both light hearted chatty videos in line with slightly more topical videos of a serious note. Louise is capable of it all. A wonder woman, some might say. Louise has a profound honesty about her life; her struggles, her triumphs and most importantly her beliefs – she doesn’t seem to let people get to her, although obviously I don’t know what goes on behind closed camera lenses. 

Louise’s very close friend features as my next chosen ‘Top YouTuber’...

Zoe Sugg. (Zoella) 

5,054,357 subscibers makes Zoella our most popular YouTube Creator so far. Zoe Sugg, sister of Joe Sugg (Thatcher Joe on YouTube) and best friend to Louise,  is vlogging every day in June as a challenge and so far it’s paid off – she featured on Loose Women, as well as reaching 5 million subscribers and that’s just this week.  Clearly this week was a good week, but Zoe is plainly honest about her down days. I think it’s that, that love about her. Her realness on camera makes her so relatable and easy to watch that viewers feel good about themselves; if this girl on YouTube has down days like I do too, I am capable of all the success that she has too. 

Zoe suffers from anxiety and severe panic attacks, however the majority of the time we see Zoe in her vlogs and videos she is her usual charming, bright and bubbly twenty-four year old self. Managed by Gleam Futures, along with boyfriend Alfie (PointlessBlog) as well as Louise and Joe; Zoe has a PO box that is regularly filled with letters, parcels and packages from friends and fans but pleads with people not to send presents – she’s not in it for the free things and gifts, you can tell that from the sheer honesty in her videos. 

Just to truly explain Zoe’s success as Zoella, Sugg won not only the 2011 Cosmopolitan Blog Award for ‘Best Established Beauty Blog’ but also ‘Best Beauty Vlogger’ as well as Radio 1 Teen Awards ‘Best British Vlogger’ and the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards for ‘UK Favourite Vlogger’. 

When Zoe was made redundant from a job she hated years ago, she never knew how popular she would get through her blog and eventually her YouTube channel, which she only started in 2009. She also has Louise’s chattery happiness and commitment and this is what makes them a fabulous pair to watch in their many collaborations.  Her ever changing style, baking, decorative and make up/hair choices inspire viewers everywhere to be exactly who they want to be, no holds barred. You want to wear those trousers that kind of look like pyjama pants, you do it. 

Zoe is one for saying yes. Her anxiety held her back for so long and now she won’t let it anymore. As if that personal achievement wasn’t enough, she’s just been given a book deal.  Zoe has signed, apparently a two-book, deal with Penguin Books and now has her debut novel due for release in November of this year. According to her announcement video, the novel will circle a young girl whose blog goes viral and what that means for her life, love and tendency to have panic attacks. It’s going to be loosely  autobiographical,  yet I’m looking forward to reading this – to my knowledge Zoe has never talked about wanting to write a book before, so for this to come out of the blue means she obviously suffers from that writerly-need to have something perfect before she puts it out into the world. The book will be entitled Girl; Online.

Here are two videos that will hopefully encourage you to head over to YouTube and check Zoella out;

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I hope you have enjoyed this sample of a few of my favourite YouTube Creators, I will however name check a few more, for your interest:  Alfie Deyes, Marcus Butler, Niomi Smart, Tanya Burr, Jim Chapman, Fleur De Force, Jenna Marbles, CherryWallis, Emma Blackery, and Troye Sivan.

Just below here, you can find links to everyone I’ve discussed above and I highly recommend you go and check them out. Just the same as watching television, they offer the escapism and light comedic relief at the end of a day, only they’re far more relatable; they’re all real people living in the same world as us. 

Carrie Hope Fletcher – Twitter, Instagram, Main YouTube, Side Channel, Blog.

Charlie McDonnell – Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Blog.

Louise Glitter – Twitter, Instagram, Main YouTube, SideChannel, Blog.

Zoe Sugg – Twitter, Instagram, Main YouTube, Side Channel, Blog.

Hair Modelling at L'Oreal ID Artist Auditions, for Caroline Schmitt.

Thursday 19^th June, 2014.
It’s six o’clock in the morning and my alarm is going off. I only fell asleep five hours ago. What is going on?

This morning, Caroline Schmitt is coming to pick me up at 6:50 for two and a half hours of hair plus half an hour of make up before a two hour drive to Bristol for her L’Oreal ID Artists Audition. It’s her audition, you say. What’s that got to do with me? I’m the Hair Model. 

‘The ID ARTIST program is now in its 10th year and is one of the most sought after development and educational opportunities for passionate, inspired hairdressers with an eye for fashion and unique creative expression. ID ARTISTS are coached by some of the industry’s biggest names on how to create the latest catwalk looks, cut and colour techniques, product innovation and the latest L’Oréal Professionnel seasonal trends.’

L’Oreal has created the best talent development program in the hairdressing world, aiming to find nurture and develop hairdressing talent through a unique mix of industry lead education sessions combined with unique hairdressing opportunities.

Having had my long brown/blonde hair dyed a copper/red brown the day before, I had been instructed not to wash it – Caroline had loaded my hair with a ‘very strong mousse’ so that when it came to styling it the next day, everything would just be a little more mouldable. Mouldable? Yes. That’s what I mean, I’m just not sure if it’s a word. 

Anyways – After arriving at the Guillaume Vappereau Salon in Otterbourne, Winchester, Caroline set about readying my hair. I won’t pretend to know, or even understand, how she created what she did especially the masterpiece that was hidden at the back; all I know is that it certainly took a while. Four bun-rings sewn together, plus two full sets of hair extensions went into the look, and my-oh-my did it weigh a lot. We’d dyed my hair to match the extensions, so it all looked natural and some of my friends who have seen the photos actually believed it all was actually my hair. I’m not sure where they think I keep the extra locks? You couldn’t hide THAT much hair in a top knot! It was all pinned in with bobby-pins/Kirby grips and multiple cans of hairspray. 

 Getting to the Radisson Blu in Bristol, where the auditions for the L’Oreal ID Artist Programme were being held, was a little hair-raising (see what I did there?) Caroline is a multi-talented hairdresser, award winning actually – French Champion, European Champion and Bronze Medalist in the World Championships, but driving is not her strongest suit. In her French car, driving at least 30KM over the speed limit at all times, we made the two/two and a half hour journey in a mere hour and fifteen minutes. She literally cut our journey in half with her ‘french’ driving.

As if the speeding wasn’t enough, I had to make the journey with a couple of extra pounds attached to my head which wobbled every speed bump and every corner we swerved. 

Here are some pictures from the day; I hope they can do most of the talking, mainly because my head still hurts from where the structure was attached. I think the look was worth it in the end, but boy was I glad to get rid of it at the end!

 

The dress, Caroline made herself, based on this year’s catwalk and looks she liked from Vogue, she styled a Primark dress into the white creation that has received so many compliments. The Black Swan-esque make up was inspired by Alexander McQueen’s catwalk and was applied by a lovely girl who had to deal with me earlier on in the day – me in my morning state, before we left Winchester. 

Overall, I had a really good experience. With various language barriers and strange eyebrow wear, the day was full of nervous laughter and congratulations for Caroline when she was accepted into the programme. The judges said they ‘were happy to end their search for ID Artists with Caroline’ – high praise indeed, but of course she deserves it. 

Congratulations again Caroline, I hope I did you proud.