End Of An Era

It has ended. It's over. It's no more. That part of my life has been completed and ticked off the list. I've rounded the corner, climbed the mountain, completed the marathon. The first major milestone of my life.

Yes, it's all mushy stuff (and as a warning this post only gets worse from here) but I have ended my schooling career, the most dominating aspect of my inexperienced life. It's a very strange feeling, yet I don't think it has fully dawned on me yet. I don't think it will until I head off to university and start my next chapter.

Until then I feel as if I'm in limbo.

That state of unknowing between school life and university education. It all finished incredibly suddenly and I think I'm still reeling from the shock of it all. This isn't a summer holiday, I won't be going back to school in September. I'm continually reminding myself of that.

The next 3 or 4 years appear planned out but there's always that sense of fear and anticipation. Firstly, who knows if I'll get the grades in August? - I had a nightmare about that last night. Then, if I do, one of the biggest steps of your life; leaving home and for me, travelling miles away. It's a giant leap but I hope one that will come just as naturally to me as moving schools or home.

Until then I have to sit back and wait. Well hopefully get off my ass and do something proactive this summer. Perhaps do some volunteering, festivalling and travelling. The latter two being money dependent as always.

So what have I been doing for the past month? Unfortunately no bands have been seen and so no reviews of late but I have discovered lots of songs which I will share with you soon. Since my last post it goes without saying that I've finished my A-levels. Let's all breathe a sigh of relief! I've spent a lot of time with my friends partying, clubbing and then recuperating in a sleepy town in the heart of Devon.... typical post-exam fun. Oh! And I dressed as Whitney Houston for a murder mystery evening. In the midst of it all, my school was celebrating its 150th anniversary and in absolutely pretentious fashion. I found myself attending a massive concert on the school grounds, a fashion show and a rainy, outdoor performance of Romeo & Juliet. It was all brilliant of course but very over-the-top. Finally to end our time at school, there was Commemoration day which involved many lengthy speeches, the giving of prizes, the singing of hymns and the muttering of prayers. All with tearful eyes...apart from me, heart of stone right here! Then in the evening we all donned our dresses or bow ties for The Ball. We gave our final farewell to peers, who, without saying it, we sadly realised we wouldn't see again. As well as to life-long friends who we knew we would be meeting up with shortly.

The past two years have whizzed around. Sixth form has encompassed some of the best and perhaps the worst days of my life but I hope I am leaving with no regrets. Looking further back, the past 14 years have shaped and moulded me into the person I am today. School has been my nourishment and protection and it's easy to reminisce on some wonderful memories but now I must move on and look towards the future.

Generic Exam Post & A Little Bit Of Fan-Girling

Goodness me! Well hasn't it been a long time since my last post? Over a month has been and gone already and so where do I begin?

As most of my very small demographic can relate to, I have been incredibly busy procrastinating - sorry - revising for some important, up and coming exams. So for the past couple of weeks very little else has been at the top of my agenda. Therefore, it goes without saying, that although it's been hectic, this past summer term (and also my last) has been pretty dull.

My final day of school - one of the biggest milestones in your life people! - turned out to be a massive anti-climax. However I hope the large quantity of exciting events happening after the exams will make up for that fact.

'After the exams'....only two weeks away! Who would have thought it would come around so soon? Let me just say what everyone else is saying, "I can't wait!"
However we all have these generic feelings, we all have exams, we can all relate, so let's move on.

What I really want to talk about (what I usually end up talking about lately) is Coldplay - if you can't stand that band then this would be a good time to stop reading and go about your daily lives. Although you will miss my fan-girling.

Yes....finally....finally....after 3 years of waiting and lots of blood, sweat but mainly tears, I eventually got to see them again. Monday the 4th of June 2012 at Emirates Stadium. That date will stay in my mind for a long time. Just like Saturday the 19th of September 2009 at Wembley Stadium.

As you can imagine or relate to (if you're lucky enough to have seen them) they are frickin' fantastic. To be honest there aren't any decent adjectives to describe seeing Coldplay live*. I was saying to my friend after the concert, you just have to go and experience them for yourself and perhaps ambivalent fans or even Coldplay haters will be persuaded otherwise.

Now most people might be saying at this point, "I don't care. She's obviously biased."
I am.
But I have also been to a lot of other gigs and concerts on all different scales and so I can gauge CP against others. I have seen some bloody brilliant musicians and some, not so great. Of course personal taste does influence one's perception of enjoyment as well. But Coldplay has always topped my list of best live experiences, ever.
That's why they are one of the biggest bands in the world right now (a phrase thrown around a lot, I know) ....and then in a couple of months they will disappear off the radar again *sigh*.

By tomorrow I will have finished a third of my A levels. It will also have been a week since I saw Coldplay, which perhaps makes it an ideal time to write about their concert. So hopefully a little review will be up soon.

Sweet dreams and I wish everyone with any exams looming loads of good luck!

* Monumental, stupendous, spectacular, phenomenal, mind-blowing, breath-taking, blah, blah, blah.