Day 17: Write About Something You Worry About A Lot

I'm a secret worrier! I worry about everything all the time! I guess something I worry about a lot, especially at the moment, is my grandmothers being alone. Though they have people around them, they're too far away from ME! And I would like to be able to look after them both.

Day 16: Post Your Favourite Book, Movie, Song And Food

Ahhhh its impossible to choose only one, So I'll chose the first one that comes to mind for each:

Book: One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - I read it a few months ago and can't sing its praises enough

Movie: Kick Ass - One of my favourite films of 2010.. it was ballsy!

Song: Lost In The World by Kanye West - in fact, that album was one of favourites this year

Food: Roti - a nice taste of the Caribbean right there! Doesn't get any better!

Day 15: What Are Your Plans For The Future, Both Near And Distant

For the near future, I guess my plan is just to graduate with a decent degree! Get any kind of job and make some money, focus on music for a while, and have as much fun as possible!

Distant future, I would like lots of money!!!!!!! A nice house, a good job, and a beautiful family around me! What more could a girl ask for?

x

Day 14: Write About Your First Kiss

LOL!!!!! Erm, do I have to?
Ok, so it was on my 15th birthday (I know, late bloomer) with a boy in a park at night. It was weird and new and scary because I had no idea what I was doing.

I've definitely had better kisses since. Say No More.

Day 13: Write About The Worst Day Of Your Life

Ooooh. I guess I can't pinpoint a single worst day, but I have a few days which stand out as being particularly bad. So I'll just write the occasion and why it was such a bad day!

• Both occasions when I found out my grandfathers had died.... doesn't need explaining really.
• A Level results day!!! Ah was shit! I went on the website at like 6am after a night out and no sleep, so I had the whole day to feel shit about the failures

Actually, I think that about sums it up. I thought there'd be more on there too!

Day 12: Write About The Best Day Of Your Life

Erm, I couldn't say for sure the best day of my life. But the best day of this year has got to be TODAY! Ah I have had the nicest day ever.

So, Grandma decided to be the original gangster that she is and make a surprise visit to England. Like the journey from Grenada is an easy one to make by herself!!! The only people who knew she was coming was Mama and one Uncle. So she rocked up to my house at about 11am looking all cute and Grenadian! Then she calls each of her other sons from our house phone, saying "Your gift has arrived" and confusing the shit out of them. They clock on finally and they all come over, laugh loudly and drink plenty Rum, in true David Family Style.

My uncles left about an hour ago, and I got a nice 20 minute hug from the best Grandma in the WORLD! I can't even describe how nice it is to see her after 2 years! And this is the first Christmas I will spend with her, which makes it 5000 times more amazing!

Good GOOD GOOD times!! Ahhhh!

Best Day of 2010 Hands Down

I Just Realised...

Of all the books I've read this semester, there hasn't been even one that has really grabbed me! How shit is that when I study Literature!?!?! Just bad bad times!

I guess I saw it coming. I did a whole module on D.H. Lawrence, who I genuinely dislike to epic proportions. I studied literature of the 1890's as another module, and there was some Oscar Wilde and Sherlock Holmes in there, but nothing I haven't read before.

I want a new book!!!!! NOW!
Please?

Day 11: How Do You Feel Today?

I'm feeling pretty gravy. Having an inside day because snow hurts my feelings in an emotional way. Its been an average pre-Christmas day, just preparing and cleaning etc. I'm also feeling really really excited, but also really anxious for this weather to fix up.

Voice Crush

For the last three days I have literally been gassing non stop because I heard that Marsha Ambrosius is dropping an album really soon. Marsha was the singer in the musical duo Floetry, and I was pissed when I found out they split up. So when I randomly stumbled upon her blog and found out she had already done two mixtapes, I was well and truly GASSED! I've been listening to them non-stop for the last two days, and I wish I could sing like her, its just not even funny.

Anyway, the two mixtapes are called Yours Truly, and Yours Sincerely. The album is dropping next year and I know its gonna be called Late Nights and Early Mornings, and here is a real pretty track:

I wish this woman all the luck and success in the world!

MISFITS!

OH-to-tha-EM-GEE. Misfits is officially my favourite show EVER.... or at least until the next episode of Glee appears in my life haha. But really, honestly and truly, I am an addict, and its pissing me off that Season 2 is done! I don't think I can wait a year to find out wagwan ! The suspense will kill me!

So I watched the whole first season the day before the second season began, and it was time incredibly well spent. The first season was amazing, but the second season smashed it, without contest. Its been murder, sex, time travelling, masked heroes, lacto-kinesis (watch the show to find out what that is), and cliff-hangers that have me reeling for more more more!

Hands down favourite character has to be cute lil awkward Simon. I love me some geek, so he was always gonna be "right up my street", but he has just become more of a badman every episode! I'm  in love with him. Nathan is also an awesome and incredibly odd character, so props to him!

Bring on Season 3, and make it quick please!!!!

Day 10: Write A Letter To Someone Who You Love

Dear You,

The way I love you! You are a better friend than money can buy.Thank you for being You! Thanks for accepting me the way I am. Thanks for being there for me when I've needed you.
 Lets be friends forever.

Love
Leighan x

Day 9: Write A Letter To Someone Who Has Hurt You

Dear you-who-must-not-be-named,

Honestly, I think of you as complete waste. But I don't hate you, or even dislike you: I'm completely indifferent about you, and I think that might be worse. I'm a strong believer in karma, so your hurtful actions will come back and bite you in the back-off.
 You aren't really worth the time its taken me to write this. So I'll sign off by saying that I really hope you have a nice life, just leave me out of it.

Deuces.

Day 8: Post Your Favourite Quote

I find new favourite quotes on a regular basis, but one of my favourites has to be from the film Forgetting Sarah Marshall, it cracks me up every time:

"When life gives you lemons, just say 'Fuck the Lemons' and bail"

Day 7: If You Had Three Wishes, What Would They Be?

1. Meet the perfect chocolate man, live in a beautiful house and have three beautiful chocolate babies.
2. I would wish that I could make singing my profession 
3. I would wish that all wishes actually came true

Day 6: Name A Place You Really Want To Visit, And why

I am desperate to go to New York!!! Concrete jungle where dreams are made of! (sorry, had to get that in there). But for a long time, New York has held a huge interest for me. Something about the yellow taxis, the never sleeping, Broadway, Manhattan, Brooklyn.
I'm hoping that I get to go this Summer! Cos I got a pocketful of dreams, Baby I'm from New York!

X Factor Bitches!

Matt won!!!! Ahhhh!!!
So happy he did! He was the only one on this show who had any credibility!

Day 5: Write About A Period Of Time In Your Life When Things Weren't Going So Well

I gues it would have to be right about now. This semester has been pretty difficult. My aunt died the day after I came to uni, and exactly two months later, my grandad died suddenly. So thats been pretty tough for me. On top of that, third year is a BITCH and I am swamped with essays! Its kinda killing me. So things havent been especially easy right now, but I have brilliant friends here in Homo Hull that keep me smiling, and the promise of a wonderful family Christmas to keep me motivated!

Day 4: Write About A Period Of Time In Your Life When Things Seemed To Be Constantly Good

To be fair, I can't recall many times when I wasn't enjoying life too much because I'm the kind of person who likes to keep positive about things. But if I had to choose a period when life was super sweet, it would probably be the summer of 2005. Just finished lovely year 10 where the work load is fairly non-existent (I miss those days!), so I wasn't in any way stressed out or overworked. Then I took a four week  holiday to Grenada with pretty much every member of my family! I'm talking uncles, aunties, cousins, brothers, mama! Anywho, it was the best holiday of my life! And I remember the rest of the summer being prett awesome too!

Good Times really!

Day 3: If You Had 24 Hours to Live What Would You Do?

1. Punch David Cameron in the face and make him cry like a little bitch
2. Get a tattoo and another piercing
3. Kick my next door neighbours cat! Bloody demon!
4. Bungee jump
5. Eat a box of Krispy Kremes and not share them with anyone
6. Spend the rest of the day with people who make me laugh!

Simples!

Happy Days Are Here Again

This is the kind of thing that makes me happy!

Day 2: Write About The Best Friends You've Had Over the Years

Ok, I'll start in secondary school. I was really tight with Lotte, Shanne and Caroline. We were kinda inseparable for a while, and I definitely have some really good memories with them. In Sixth Form, we grew apart I guess. There's no animosity there, its just the way the cookie crumbles.

A Level Biology trips meant the formation of JEL: Jes, Era, and Leighan: the coolest gang ever! The saddest thing about it is that I still call them jel, and plan to keep calling them that till the day I die. Anyway, JEL expanded into various forms, but the most significant other member has to be Adelle. We had some amazing times in school, and I love going back home and seeing them all again. It makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

My uni peoples are brilliant! Props have to go to Elmo, Dubs, Silks, Suj, Liz, and Jums. You guys give me the most jokes, we have the best times, and you've all been such amazing friends

Day 1: Post 15 Facts about Yourself with a Recent Picture

1. I think Crisps are severely overrated
2. Currently studying a module on D.H. Lawrence and I genuinely cannot stand him
3. My mum is my hero. I wish I had her strength
4. The smell of Jack Daniels makes me wanna throw up - it reminds me of hangovers
5. Eric from The Little Mermaid was the most handsome Disney Prince
6. I think that Drake is overrated... So is Beyonce's voice. Sorry
7. Apple Turnovers are my Achilles heel.... So are Malteasers actually
8. I really want to live in New York
9. I check my facebook and twitter every day without fail.
10. Simon from Misfits is kinda cute, especially future Simon
11. My favourite place in the world is my Grandma's verandah in Grenada
12. Massages kinda weird me out... I'm too ticklish to enjoy them
13. I don't believe in regrets - what's done is done, so I try not to waste energy wishing things were different
14. I wouldn't describe myself as religious. Instead, I would call myself God-aware and spiritual
15. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Tinkerbell Rocks!

30 Day Challenge

1. Post 15 facts about yourself with a recent picture.
2. Write about the best friends you've had over the years.
3. If you had 24 hours to live, what would you do?
4. Write about a period of time in your life when things seemed to be constantly good.
5. Write about a period of time in your life when things weren't going so well.
6. Name a place you would really like to visit, and why.
7. If you had three wishes, what would they be?
8. Post your favourite quote.
9. Write a letter to someone who has hurt you.
10. Write a letter to someone who you love.
11. How do you feel today?
12. Write about the best day of your life.
13. Write about the worst day of your life.
14. Write about your first kiss.
15. What are your plans for the future, both near and distant.
16. Post your favourite book, movie, song, food.
17. Write about something you worry about a lot.
18. Write about your day in bullet points.
19. Post one confession/secret.
20. Write about your relationship status.
21. Who are you? When are you you? When are you not you?
22. How has your life changed over the last year?
23. Post your horoscope.
24. 10 things that annoy you.
25. 10 things that make you laugh.
26. What did you eat today?
27. How did you spend your last birthday, and what are your plans for the next one?
28. How has your week been?
29. A picture of you posing with someone you don't actually like.
30. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Christmas To Me:

1. Coming home 5 days before just to see that Mama hasn't yet put up the tree or the decorations, and hands that task over to me
2. Very last minute Christmas shopping
3. Midnight Mass with the family: An hour of laughing at the comedy that is the St Raphael's choir, particularly the annual shambles that is "O Holy Night". 
4. Coming home after Mass, eating some Christmas ham, chatting nonsense for a long while, and a few Crimbo drinks with the brothers. 
5. Food Food Food!!!
6. A movie or three!
7. Spending time with the best family anyone could wish for. Not crying about the depleting number of gifts I receive every year; instead relishing in love, laughs, and good food.

Sweeney Todd

Green finch and Linnet bird,

Nightingale, Blackbird,

How is it you sing?

How can you jubilate, sitting in cages,

Never taking wing?

Outside the sky waits beckoning, beckoning

Just beyond the bars.

How can you remain

Staring at the rain,

Maddened by the stars?

How is it you sing anything?

How is it you sing?

Green Finch and Linnet Bird,

Nightingale, Blackbird,

Teach me how to sing?

If I cannot fly,

Let Me Sing.

Things Making Me Laugh Right Now

So, you know when you have about 3 essays to do in the next 3 weeks? Is it just me, or is it that  during these ridiculous times of hardship that you find the most random things to occupy yourself? Like youtube! There are two videos that are just killing me at the moment. One of them isnt allowing me to embed the video on my blog... but here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxmWOKLnUCo&feature=player_embedded
I suggest you watch it to the end... because it just gets funnier.

The second video is below:




Enjoy!

Someone Like You

Cannot wait for the new album to drop! Loving this woman's voice, and the song is beautiful!

The Power of Jeremy Kyle

Whether I'm feeling sick, feeling miserable, or feeling pathetically sorry for myself, the man above never fails to cheer me up.

Maybe its just because I know that no matter how hard life gets, I will never end up on a show where guests frequently look like this:

But my favourite point in the history of this iconic show has to be the one below:

I salute you, Jeremy Kyle! Thank you for making me feel better, you smug git.

Poetry

This is the kind of song that makes you want to fall in love.

"At night we would watch the stars,

And he would physically give me each and every one"

Bob Marley

"You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before, she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She's not perfect - you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together, But if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold on to her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don't hurt her, don't change her, don't analyse and don't expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she's not there."

Feeling For That Dready Lovin'

In my humble opinion, there is nothing sexier than a black man with a head of well-maintained dreads! It shows a certain level of commitment, wouldn't you agree?

Sweet Disposition

So I know this song isn't new, but I've had it on repeat for the last 2 months.

Black History.... or Black Now?

I have absolutely no excuse for not blogging for a whole month.... I'm ashamed! No excuse.... except maybe that third year is a bitch and I'm swamped with reading?

Anywho, another Black History Month has just passed us, and it got me thinking about discrimination and racism. I wonder whether progress has been made, or if the "black man" is still at the bottom of the food chain.

During the 1950's, Britain invited immigrant workers from the Caribbean to fill job vacancies, working as low-paid labourers and transport workers, in a bid to rebuild post-war England. The government INVITED the black man to their country, and then treated them like shit? To an extent, this country was rebuilt upon the backs of the immigrant worker, yet at the same time, it wasn't uncommon to see signs like this:

Of course, that's all ancient history now. But is it? My mum came to this country in 1963, and she can recall a time when, walking home from school, an old woman set her dog upon my then seven year old mother, my Grandma was spat on, insults like "monkey" or "wog" thrown at them , a constant need to justify their being in this country. Its one thing to know the history of Black Britain, but to hear first-hand accounts of this disgusting abuse from your family is something else entirely. Yes, all of this before my time, but what has really changed? Even today, walking around Hull, the glares of contempt are difficult to miss, and every so often, a racial slur or blatant insult is thrown my way. Racial discrimination is now an illegal offence, but that doesn't change people's attitudes towards "the other". Perhaps there is a higher level of tolerance, but still, little acceptance.

Civil Rights were recognised over 40 years ago, but is 40 years enough to change the mindset of  a whole population? Yes, discrimination is a punishable offence, but what is to stop those vehemently opposed to equality from spreading their message of superiority. How much progress has been made? Have perceptions of black people really changed, or are we still being met with the icy stares of pre-judgement?


On a separate note, I just typed Black Britain into Google images and a picture of JLS came up. If they're the best representation of Black Britain, we're all fucked, aren't we!

Let Me Sing Like This?

Ahhh this woman can SANGGG!!!! Gives me chills every time I watch this video. Such a talent.

I'm real sad that Floetry broke up, but if singer Marsha Ambrosius went solo, life would once again be complete.

Beginning of the End??

Summer is officially over, and the weather is only rubbing that fact in. Uni has started again, so I once again find myself in the familiar situation of re-acquainting myself with education.

I cannot believe that this is my final year of education. The thought is so scary that I'm contemplating studying for my masters just so I can stall for another year. However, I feel like its time to join the world, and start my adult life.

I wonder if you ever feel old enough. I didn't feel old enough to leave for uni and live independant of my family. In fact, I still don't feel old enough. So I can say without doubt that I certainly don't feel old enough to begin considering career options. I recently decided that I wanted to join the wonderful world of publishing, and so thats the career I want to pursue, but I made this choice recently, and I have a knack for changing my mind more often than I eat. Choices I make now will determine the rest of my life, and that scares the crap out of me.

Alas! Worrying about this stuff doesn't help. I'm gonna try and enjoy this last year as much as I can!

Everything for a time!

D H Lawrence

"All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake every morning to find it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they dream their dreams with open eyes, and make them come true"

Nella Larsen

"These people yapped loudly of race, of race consciousness, of race pride, and yet suppressed its most delightful manifestations, love of colour, joy of rhythmic motion, naive, spontaneous laughter. Harmony, radiance, and simplicity, all the essentials of spiritual beauty in the race they had marked for destruction."

I Am

It is incredibly easy to get swept up in other people's perceptions of who you are, or who they think you should be. It is equally easy to become a product of the people around you.

I am no exception. For years, I behaved in a way that wasn't entirely true to my real self. But, as you get older, you become less pre-occupied with fitting a certain niche, or moulding yourself to someone elses specifications. You realise that your uniqueness is a blessing, and far more interesting than following fashion.

Thus, in light of this observation, and because I genuinely love making lists (true story), I am gonna tell you a little bit about who I Am, in the form of a list:


1. I am a Geek. Really. I am. And I'm proud of this. I love sitting in the library, headphones in, with about seven different books around me, ready to learn something new. I love lectures; I love seminars; I love learning. I am a bona fide nerd. I wasn't ready to admit this for a long time, but its a fact! Geek.

2. I am a dreamer. I spend a significant portion of my day dreaming of the way things could be, or should be; wondering what it would feel like to be married to Michael Ealy & etc.

3. I always laugh too hard and too long at the wrong things. Like, if someone is gettin told off, I find it hilarious and I really shouldn't. And when I start laughing, it takes me far too long to stop. I also cry at things that don't affect other people that much. For example, at the end of Toy Story 3, when Andy is playing with his toys for the last time, that scene really got to me. I didn't allow myself to cry, but I really wanted to!

4. I watch certain films over and over again; then, when I know my favourite parts, I just watch those bits over and over again.... weird, I know.

5. I have a really strange taste in music. People must assume, maybe because I'm black, that I only listen to RnB, Hip Hop and the rest of it, but they couldn't be more wrong. A whole lot of RnB music bores me, and I can't think of many chart songs that I really like. My iTunes is all to eclectic! My six year attendance at music school increased my exposure to classical music, and musical theatre, and thats where my musical heart lies. That probably increases my Geek Points, but thats fine with me!

6. I have an irrational fear of drowning.

7. I love books. I love reading. And I'm not talking about those silly chick-lit books where the endings are always the same (girl gets guys), but a good, meaty chunk of text that keeps you hooked, and has you reeling for days after. I'm currently reading One Flew Over The Cuckoo's nest, and loving it.

8. I love making lists! I like the way they create order out of disarray. I like the way you can put things in any random order, and they still make sense, because there in a list.Very Cool.

9. I hate negativity. I cannot tell a lie: I definetly have days when I am less than a happy ball of positive thoughts, but on the whole, I do try and keep a positive outlook on things. People that refuse to see the bright side and only concentrate on whats wrong really bug me. Cliched as it is, there really is a silver lining to every dark cloud, and all things do happen for a reason.

10. I genuinely LOVE Disney! I really do! Love Love Love Disney. Tinker Bell is the best! Don't care what you think, or how gay you think that makes me, but its the truth.

11. When I'm at home, I speak in a Grenadian accent 90% of the time... its a family thing.

"Most People are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation"

Oscar Wilde

"You were born original. Don't die a copy"

John Mason

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else"

Judy Garland.

Sigmund Freud

"Sometimes A Cigar Is Just A Cigar."

Let Me Live Here?!

Image By: Thomas Kinkade.

Perfection

You Know Summer Has Been A Bit Of A Let Down When...

1. The weather is actually SHIT..... seriously..... fix up Global Warming.... this is not a good look.

2. You have a cold..... to be fair, this isn't really Summer's fault - the babies I work with cough in your face like its funny - BUT the seriously shitty weather does not help at all.

3. You begin neglecting your blog.... it won't happen again, I promise.

4. Your hardrive stops working about two weeks into the holiday, depriving you of all your music and films! Thankfully, it revived itself a couple weeks ago.

5. Your Ipod gets stolen out of your pocket when your on the train heading to an interview for a job you don't even get! I MISS YOU PODDY!!!!! I'm using my blackberry as a replacement, but he hasn't got a patch on you!!! Come back to me please!

6. You've only seen your beautiful friends a handful of times!!!! Yes, I'm talking about You, Jes, Era, Adelle!!!!!! This makes me sad! But I Loves you all.

7. You leave your extensive DVD collection in storage, and spend six weeks pining to see Romeo and Juliet, Peter Pan, and My Best Friend's Wedding.

Catch Up Time!!!!

Ok, So I officially suck!!! No real excuse at all for my lack of communication, but there you go. So here is The Official Catch Up: August 2010 Edition!

                                                     

• 
  
  I got a job!!! Yippeeeee!!! After months and months of unemployment, my cousin hooked me up with a job at her nursery. Its such a great job, I basically spend the days looking after the babies, feeding them and playing with them. Money isn's great, but it doesn't really feel like a job, so all's well. Anyway, I've been working there for two weeks now, and I've got at least another couple of weeks worth of work. Which inevitably means MONEY!!!! and this little money brings me on to my second piece of news....

• SPAIN!!!! looks like thats really gonna happen! A week in Spain with a couple of girlies mid-September!! I'm so looking forward to that!! Hoping that we can book it tonight!! hehe.

• Student Finance are taking the absolute piss out of my life!! They expect me to live on £360 for 12 weeks?!?! They have got to be smoking something illegal! I am gonna be SO desperate for a job in Hull.... interesting times!

• Toy Story 3!!!!! EMOTIONAL TIMES!!! Went to go see it yesterday!!! and omg!!! it was amazing! so funny, so entertaining, at times genuinely scary, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit to being close to tears at least twice during the movie. It was definetly aimed at the older audience that enjoyed the first two movies, and they used a similar plot to the first two but hey! If it aint broke, don't fix it!! Big Baby was freaky, as was The Monkey; Lotso had the coolest voice ever, and Spanish Buzz was a laugh. 

• Lastly, new favourite song:

I think thats about it!!!
I promise never to leave you alone so long again bloggy!!!!

Helen Hayes

"We rely upon the poets, the philosophers, and the playwrights to articulate what most of us can only feel, in joy and sorrow. They illuminate the thoughts for which we only grope; they give us the strength and balm we cannot find in ourselves. Whenever I feel my courage wavering I rush to them. They will give me the wisdom of acceptance, the will and resilience to push on"

Home Sweet Home

Mama and Jordan came back from Grenada a couple of days ago. It was so good to have them back, but my jealousy was overwhelming! I didn't really wanna hear about all their great stories because I felt like I should have been in them, haha!

Mum brought me back a reggae CD, and a giant Grenada flag for me to wear at Carnival! But the best package of all was from my Grandma. Knowing how much I love her soup, she made me a bowl, froze it, and wrapped it up nice and tight, so that by the time mum reached home, the soup was just defrosted. When I ate it, I closed my eyes, and it almost, almost felt like I was in Grandma's kitchen!

One of Jordan's pictures from the holiday. Him and Grandma... too cute!

Self Definition

Below is the UrbanDictionary definition of Leighan.... I rather enjoyed it!

Beautiful woman, inside and out. Very intelligent, loyal, and reliable. A humanitarian, loves all creatures great and small. Would give the shirt off her back if she wasn't so modest. Would do ANYTHING for someone she loves. Not an attention seeker, but doesn't mind being in the spotlight every now and then. A Lover, not a Fighter, but she will kick your ass if you mess with her or someone she cares about. A little obsessive about certain things, but couldn't care less about a lot of things, so it balances out. This is the woman you want to marry.

Destiny of a Hype(wo)Man by Leah M

Written By: Leah aka Elmo
Edited By: Yours Truly
Inspiration For The Post: Leah's role as hype(wo)man for our music group GCE (don't ask)
Definition of Hype Man (According to UrbanDictionary): 1.The person who gets the crowd hyped/amped/pumped before/during a show.     2. The guy at a rap concert standing next to the rapper you came to see who yells every other word loudly when you just want to hear the damn rapper. He usually does it so the rapper doesn't run out of breath, but it really just pisses you off.

                                                          

For me, it all started in the early morning of Janurary 1989. My parents were clearly partying like it was 1999 because, as I have worked out, this was the night of my conception. I know that this may seem weird, but whatever, its all part of the story of my pre-destined Hype(wo)man status. December 31st/January 1st 1989 is the most hyped night of my entire world.

This brings me to the second part of my Destiny story. My Dad is half-Jamaican, and was born there. Due to his Jamaican-ness, his role as parent and father pretty much ceased to exist after conception. Nevertheless, this Jamaican heritage has had a heavy influence, not only on me, but the world's greatest hype man: Busta Rhymes

In Year 6 and Year 7, I wanted to become a DJ. My DJ name was DJ Xtreme. I chose this name because I (used to) LOVE wrestling, and my favourite wrestlers were the Hardy Boys, particularly Jeff (Hype Man). Anywho, DJ's can be the most hyped individuals, DJ Khaled being a very good example.

I had another brush with destiny when I went to the legendary Eminem and 50Cent concert, where I got to meet Lethal B. Lethal B made the most hyped tune of the decade. And after the "Oi" video, he clearly found the money to put some vaseline on his lip piece (check 0:40 on the link below) cos "Pow" was alot!!

PS. he smelt like peaches

In Year 11, I starred in West Side Story, where I played Francesca, Maria's hype woman! Yes, it was a silent role, but I made that character look sick!

Since I've being at uni, I have been told time and time again that I have an overly hyped laugh. Now, even though people curse it, I think its a blessing, as now I am the official hype girl for GCE (brap). I'm going to laugh into the microphone to get the crowd up and awake and HYPED!
As an Economics student, I have found a gap in the market for a laughing woman Hype artist.
Look no further people. Here I Am!
Its all there people, DESTINY of a hype(wo)man

Funny Girl

In Love with the Night, Mysterious

From the incredible Cole Porter, 'So in Love' is, without a doubt the most beautiful love song I've ever heard.

The clip is taken from the musical movie De-Lovely, and it makes me wanna cry every time

Inception

Went to see Inception last night with my brothers!

O-to-the-M-G what an awesome film!! Everyone needs to go watch it now!!! I can't really say too  much about it because I would give away the plot in a second, but it is just one of the most intelligent, visually stunning movies of the year. The concept of inception is the art of implanting an idea into the mind of a person, and I'm not sure how director Christopher Nolan came up with it, but props to him. 

Leonardo DiCaprio heads an incredible all star cast, and he and his co-stars do not disappoint. I've fallen in love with Leo again!

Sing Me A Song In Black And White

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I'm a 90's baby, what with the technology, opportunties, and general decrease in racist and sexist attitudes. But musically, I have a real affinity with the 30's, 40's, and 50's.
Its a real shame they dont make music and movies like this anymore!

 Fred Astaire is a real charmer! And Cole Porter is a musical genuis! 
So in love with these songs

Feeling Blessed!

Today I woke up in a very greatful mood! I have a truly blessed life! I have two incredible parents that encourage me to be amazing, a papa smiling down on us from the skies, supportive brothers, and beautiful friends and family. I have never wanted for anything, and I'm surrounded by people who fill me with love!

We all take way to much for granted, so its nice to wake up and appreciate everything and everyone around you.

Today, I started making plans for after graduation, and I'm determined to travel, so hopefully I get to make that happen.




"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognising and appreciating what we do have"

Frederick Keonig

Old School Drake

Closer to my dreams

Thanks Uncle K for introducing this one to me!

Team Edward!

Went to see Eclipse yesterday with a few of the girls, and I was surprised.... it was actually kinda alright!

I'm  a major Twilight fan, but I'm well aware that the films thus far have been pretty shite. I'm not saying Eclipse was an amazing film, but it was definetly better than the previous two... mainly because there was a definite decrease of Bella screen time... definite bonus!

The film also re-affirmed my love of Edward! Though Jacob's abs are  incredibly distracting, Edward's charm won me over! Go Edward!

Being at the cinema, I saw a lot of adverts for films I really wanna see: Inception, Toy Story 3, The A-Team... Its just a real shame that I have no money at all!

 On another note, my mama and Jordan left for Grenada on wednesday, and are gone for three weeks, so the house is really quiet, and I'm here alone most of the time. I think I'm gonna develop severe abandonment issues if they don't come back soon!!

The Time Traveler's Wife

Finished reading it literally about two minutes ago! It is possibly the most beautiful, tragic, wonky, confusing, perfect story I've ever read! Wow! This book just convinces! Its the hauntingly beautiful tale of a love that knows no boundaries, not even those of time. I'm actually in shock by the way it moved me!
Audrey Niffenegger, the author, is incredible in her ability to manipulate the reader's emotion! You can feel the undying love between Clare and Henry, you can sense the suspense when Henry time travels, and the end of the book just makes you cry!! Beautiful!
The Time Traveler's Wife can be a very confusing read - I guess that's just the nature of the story - but it is worth the effort! I think everyone should read this book.. straight away!

I bought the DVD a few weeks back but decided not to watch it until I had finished the book, so I will watch it tonight and continue this post after!

                                                                                               

Just finished watching the movie... it was beautiful... another tear-jerker! There were definitely elements from the book that I  wanted to be included in the film. Nevertheless, I absolutely loved it! Eric Bana is a babe!

"I'll Dream of a Mermaid Lagoon, Underneath a Magic Moon"

Summer Time, And the Livin' is Easy

"Deep Summer is when laziness finds respectability"

The Problem With Black People Is...

...Y'all are never NEVER on time! For anything! Ever!

From personal experience, I know that most ethinic minorities have an issue with time keeping, but black people take the piss!! I met some uni friends today... Toby organised it, and he told us to meet him at the station at half one.... I'm not sure how, but I left my house late, and STILL got there on time, and before everyone else! The next person to show up came fifteen minutes after me, and she's Filipino! Toby showed up about 40 mins late, and the others rolled through at about half three!
Black people, I love you, you guys are awesome! But seriously, BE ON TIME!

As my future husband, Michael Ealy, says in Barbershop:

"    Some discipline! Don't go out and buy a Range Rover when you livin' with your mama! And pay your mama some rent! And can we please, please, please try and teach our kids something other than the 'Chronic' album? And PLEASE, black people, try and be on time for something other than free-before-eleven at the club!!     "

Its good advice! Be on time! Please.

(This picture is just for the sake of having something FINE to look at.... Michael Ealy, you stunner)

(You'll also notice that the picture is pretty massive... thats not by mistake!)

Oh! To Be A Child

I had the great fortune this past semester of taking the module Classics of British Children's Literature. I didn't really get a chance to blog about it before, but, looking back, I can honestly say it was the most delightful module ever! We studied books like The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, Winnie The Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, and finally Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The aim of the module was basically to understand what made a classic, and also to see if there were any underlying adult themes in these children's books. I'm sure you can imagine that most books had some deep, underlying message: Lewis Carroll had an incredibly deep infatuation with chldhood and the child girl, C.S Lewis's book acted as an allegory for his undying Christian beliefs.

The only text studied that seemed to have no ulterior motive, no underlying messages about morality or religion; the only text that seemed to be designed solely for children's entertaiment, was the beloved Winnie The Pooh.

Spending a seminar trying to analyse the folly of Pooh and friends seemed like a waste of time. The group tried to come up with some intricate reasoning behind the stories, some complex story as to why AA Milne created these characters, but we all came up blank, and decided that the Pooh stories were the most innocent out of all the novels we studied.

For this reason, we salute you, A A Milne. We salute you, Pooh Bear. We salute you, Christopher Robin. We Salute you, Tigger, Piglet, Roo, Kanga, Owl, Eeyore and Rabbit. We salute you for keeping our childhoods innocent and entertained.


There are also some really cute quotes in Winnie-The-Pooh:

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words, but rather short, easy words like 'What about lunch?' "

"You can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right; but spelling isn't everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesnt count"

Couldn't your heart just melt?!?

PS. The original illustrations are sooo much better than the Disney ones, wouldn't you agree?

Erm... Neccessary!!!!

Just saw these, and I NEED to purchase me a pair ASAP

If anyone is looking to buy me a present anytime soon.... you now know what to do ;)

Failing that...

Simple Things

Yesterday was the longest day of the year, and the official first day of summer! Yippee!!!!

Me and mama spent the evening pottering around the garden, tending to the flowers... we gave them all names because thats just how we roll!

You gotta find pleasure in the simple things!

Again with the Vampires!!!!

Ok, I am totally aware that my last post was about Twilight, BUT I just watched the first episode of the third season of True Blood and I loved it!

Check out this lil homoerotic clip from the episode... it made me  giggle ;)

I Just read that there will definetly be a Season four of True Blood! Yay! I get at least another year of Vampire mania! Whoop!

 

Also, started reading the Sookie Stackhouse novel, they're not half bad!!!!

Eclipse!

I am ridiculously excited about The Twilight Saga's Ecplise release! It looks to be a promising film. But I would be lying if I said I had my reservations with the film. I'd like to share my issues with you:

1. I saw this billboard advert:

and I found it laughable. It it without a doubt the worst promo poster for the film I've seen. I dunno why, but everything about this poster screams Foolishness and Cringe... don't ask me why; its just the way I feel

2. Kristen Stewart Cannot Act! Her on-screen is so unbelievably painful that it makes me resent my love of Twilight

3. I don't like that they changed the actress playing Victoria. We're like, three-quarters of the way through the series... so what was the point?

4. The Twilight Saga tends to have some really cringey moments, mostly involving Kristen Stewart... Who wants to sit through that?

5. That poster is really getting to me. The worst thing about it is I don't even know why!

                                                                                                                   

Anyway, all that said, I cannot WAIT to see the film because:

1. Robert Pattinson: not the world's most beautiful man by a long shot! But regardless, I love him as Edward

2. Tatylor Lautner: yes, two years younger, but who can deny his charm and that body!

3. Its Twilight!!!!!!!!

4. Its Twilight!!!!!!!!!!!

Bring it on!

A Lil' Morbid Today... Sorry

Took a trip to the cemetery with mama to visit a man sorely missed, especially on Father's Day.

Death is a horrible thing. It doesnt only effect the person it removes from  the earth; it takes away little parts of everyone around him. The only thing we can do is accept it and rise above it.

Death is inevitable. No one escapes it or its effects. The only triumph over death is to leave a long lasting impression on those left behind, and thats exactly what Dad did. He will forever be missed, and will live forever through his children, so I'm glad I get to hold him in my heart.

"Life? Life? Its Death that makes life worth living for."

Death paves the way for life

There's a poem that's been in my head for the whole day. A sonnet by the incredible John Donne:

Death be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow

Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,

Much pleasure; then from me much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee do go;

Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

And dost with poison,war, and sickness dwell,

And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well

And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And Death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

No, I'm not in this picture, but its just ridiculously cute!

Bad Idea Methinks...

I recently decided that Criminal Minds is a totally amazing show! I've been catching random episodes on tv, but I wanted to watch it all. Stupidly, I decided that I would watch episode after episode on the internet, and it wasn't my brightest idea. Its freakin' scary! I watched about 6 episodes yesterday and seriously, I may never leave the house again, especially not alone!
You definetly can have too much of a good thing.

Count Your Blessings!

And I've got somewhere to dress for

And I've got no need to stress for

And so I'll always put my best forth

And I count my blessings

I got joy in abundance

I've got life full of substance

I've got meetings and functions

So I count my blessings

Hi. My name is Leighan, and I have a Problem...

What you see above is about half of all the books I own. The rest are either in storage, in the loft, or in the black bag under my bed. Don't get me wrong, I love reading, and I love that I have an extensive personal library (geek, yes), but it is currently problematic because:

1. I have a really really small room, and there is no space for anything at all.
2. I'm a student. Do I need to say anything else?
3. I also have no job, not even for the summer.

Not only am I unable to stop myself from buying books, but my DVD-buying habits are even worse... I don't even wanna tell you how many DVD's I have! Luckily there all in storage, so I couldn't take a picture even if I wanted to. Today, three DVD's I bought from Amazon arrived, and all I currently feel is shame... So in order to make myself feel better about spending money I don't really have, I'm going to watch one of them :)
On a slightly brighter note, I'm reading my way through The Time Traveler's Wife and I absolutely love it so far! Its completely reckless and messy, and I'm confused at the best of times, but its a gorgous story thats well written! Love it