Travel Bucket List

Hi All!

I've said before that I'm not much of a traveller, however, recently I've been hit by the travel bug and I'm desperate to get myself out in the big wide world and see some of the amazing views, experience the cultures and basically have a whole load of fun! I'm not a great fan of the idea of flying although I've never done it but I love the idea of taking a ferry or going on a cruise so I should be good on the water front. Anywho, I thought I'd do a quick post of some of the places I'd love to go if I get the chance.

Caribbean

Regardless of who you are, whether you hate or love hot places, travelling or whatever you absolutely can't deny that the Caribbean has some of the most beautiful views in the world, everything seems so bright there and clear, just the idea of lazing about on a beach or swimming in the sea is heavenly. I'm usually not one for hot countries but I have to go to the Caribbean at some point in my life... it's simply unavoidable. I do love exotic places and I don't think you get more exotic than there, in fact I'm hopefully going to go on holiday there before I start university in 2016 *fingers crossed*.

America

This may be a cliche but I am obsessed with the idea of doing a road trip through America and one place I would absolutely need to go is Hawaii, partly because I love Lilo & Stitch so much and partly because I really want a grass skirt... and flower necklace. In all seriousness Hawaii is a stunning place and I couldn't die happy if I didn't go there. Route 66 is something I've always wanted to do, as is Christmas shopping in NYC, pride marches in San Fransisco and Disney World Florida of course! I'm not even American and I love America!

France

France is probably the culture Capital of the world also quite possibly the most romantic country in the world. There is a certain... atmosphere about France that basically oozes with passion and delicacy. I think it would be brilliant to go there and experience the whole country in all it's elegant glory, I love the French Décor style and the accent, I can't speak French to save my life but I'd be willing to lean if it meant getting to go here even for just a nice weekend away. 

Germany

I mainly want to go to Germany because I feel a sort of connection with the place, from being really young I've really enjoyed learning of German culture, history and I'm currently in the process of beginning my first course in Entry Level German so I can speak, read and write it fluently before I hope to go when I'm 21. Pretty big goal but still. I also love Chocolate and Beer and Germany is pretty well known for those... OKTOBERFEST! 

Ireland

I mentioned in a previous post that I would love to go to Ireland and I stand by that statement, Ireland feels like my home from home and if I had my way I would live in a country house in Ireland when I eventually settle down for good. I love typically bad weather like rain, snow, storms and the such and Ireland seems like the perfect place for that weather, also some of the views in the hills and countryside are gorgeous and I'd love to just go walking in the Irish hills. 
Just a note that all my images from this post are from Google and I take no credit for them at all. 

I truly hopes you all enjoyed reading this also, I mentioned earlier in the post that I love rain and snow... Well it's snowing here and I screamed with joy and almost terrified Aymie Louise to death!

Love Katherine. X

Waiting to go to University and Gap Years

Hi All!

Recently I've been doing a lot of research into universities, courses and personal statement information because I'm off to uni next year hopefully and I just got thinking about why I chose to not to go to uni right away and why some other people might choose not to. This post is just a few reasons why people may want to take a gap year or why it might be a good thing to take a gap year, and a few reasons it isn't a good thing. So lets get right down to business, I hope you find this useful.

There are a number of reasons that people might want to take a gap year and a number of reasons why people don't want to but it can't be denied that, if spent productively, that time can be really helpful for University later on or just life experience in general. Gap years or choosing not to go to university right away gives you the opportunity to:

• Travel and experience new places
• Teach or study abroad
• Work or live abroad
• Save some money for university
• Prepare yourself physically and emotionally for university
• Get work experience

Personally, I took time out before Uni to try and get my health improved, in sixth form I was constantly ill and I was in and out of hospital a lot so I thought that it would be a good idea to take some time out to get my body and mind into a better place before I went to university as it can be a stressful time. I also took the opportunity to undertake another course and gain some more qualifications in the subject I'd like to continue at university, health and social care. If you're thinking of taking some time out before university there's a few things I would recommend you consider.

• How easy would it be for you to settle back into your studies? Some people find it much harder to get back into the routine of revision, coursework and exams whereas others have said that gap years and time out made them feel refreshed and revitalised before getting back to the hard stuff. You don't need to make life any more difficult for yourself so really consider how that period of getting into a routine would affect you.
• What would you do? It's a good idea to have some thoughts on what you'd like to do in your time out, learn new skills? Travel? Earn more money? At least that way you will have less chance of just wasting the time that could've been spent productively. 
• Why are you taking time out? Are you doing it simply because everyone else is or because it's what you truly feel will be best for you? You may find that if you do it to follow the crowd and you end up easting that year/s you'll regret it.
• Are you prepared? If you're thinking of travelling or going abroad to study/work are you prepared to leave home and be completely independent? Lots of students tend to go on gap years and while they eventually end up enjoying it they find that leaving home for such a long period of time is unnerving or worrying. Think, would you be okay with long times spent from home? Are you financially prepared to travel or work unpaid in order to get experience? Is that a realistic goal for you?

Overall gap years aren't always a good idea definitely not if you're only doing it because A) Everyone else is B) You think tattoos or piercings will be cool from some exotic land C) You simply can't be bothered with uni just yet D) You want more time to party. 

However, gap years or time out can provide you with so many new opportunities you can gain life experience, work experience, earn your own money, explore the world or your home country and one of the most important factors for me personally, that time can give you an awful lot of scope to truly consider what you want to do with your life. Since I started college I've been shown hundreds of jobs I never even considered for myself, I went into that course determined I would become a midwife, I've swapped to wanting to be a dentist, health visitor, social worker and now I believe I have finally settled on a career I wish to pursue. I want to eventually become a university lecturer of health and social care. I hope you all enjoyed reading this and have taken something useful away from this post. 

Love Katherine. X

Top 4 Favourite Places to Visit - in the UK!

Now I must admit I am far from what anybody would call a traveller, I am not one to sit and ponder all of the gloriously hot or exotic places I'd love to go. I'm much happier thinking about all of the road trips and visiting to do right here in the UK; however I have been to a few places so far in life, all in the UK obviously. I was thinking today while I was travelling up North (East) from down South about all the places I have been and how much I've enjoyed where I've been. So I thought it would be a good idea to make a post on my top 4 favourite places to visit in the UK. I'll only be putting 4 because these places are very special to me and wherever else I've been, the experience simply hasn't matched up with these 4 locations.

4. London - One things you should know about me, particularly for this post, is that I am 110% NOT a city girl, I can not stand the hustle and bustle of city life and would much prefer to be in the countryside... or better, at the coast. London however is such an amazing place! I first went there when I was 6 or 7 but unfortunately it was to spend 5 days in hospital so for the majority of the time I was there I barely saw a thing until I was allowed out. Oh but when I was I was absolutely gob-smacked, the place was brilliant with so many people in fabulous clothes walking around, the history of the capital is astounding too! If you're ever to visit London I highly recommend going to the London Dungeons and Madame Tussauds, my Mam almost got her eyebrows singed off in the Dungeons ha! It is a wonderful place to visit and should be on anybody's bucket list.

3. Edinburgh - Edinburgh, what can I say about it? The views are phenomenal, especially when you're up a height and get to see the whole city in its glory. It really is a splendid view, although the language barriers may be a stumbling block, if you're a strong accented Geordie you may have difficulty understanding the Edinburgh accent as I did ha! The history and culture of Edinburgh is so rich and varied its a wonder how anybody couldn't be fascinated with the place.

2. York - York is fab and has some absolutely wonderful markets, particularly around Christmas time, I've recently visited York again and the magnificence of the architecture hasn't diminished at all. The Cathedral is a must see for whoever is considering a visit there. There's so much you can learn about the whole of UK culture and history from the city, the architecture, as mentioned before is great and offers some fantastic photography opportunities. Also there are SO many cute tea rooms for those of you who're like me and can't resist a real Yorkshire cuppa tea.

1. Whitby - My all time favourite place to visit has to be Whitby. It's a small coastal town in North Yorkshire and, as with all of the previous places I've mentioned, it has a fantastically interesting and captivating history (including the fact that Whitby was the place Bram Stoker set and wrote Dracula! *fangirl squeal*) and some views that would melt your heart. It is not for these reasons that I love Whitby with such a passion, it's because of the memories the place holds for me; some of my happiest times have taken place in that little seaside town. Vintage, beautiful, comforting and my "soul place", Whitby is and always will be at the top of my list of favourite places to visit. 

                         

Let me know about any of your favourite places to visit.

Love Katheirne. X