Project update Week One (23/9-29/9)

Hello people who care :)

So this week I haven’t really done a lot but I have done the most important thing. I had my very first meeting with my tutor, who is so understanding and can really see where I’m trying to go with this research which really is such a blessing.

I did find a good number of relevant articles for my project proposal and for those of who don’t know what a proposal is; it’s basically where you present your plans and justifications with reference to the literature (currently available articles) for your project. My proposal is split into two parts, an essay like element where I have to present my plans for research and justify them, and then there is the presentation, which is pretty much the same but verbalised and there is probably going to be a questions and answer section at the end, or in real life it will be a “lets-pick-holes-in-Claire’s-work-and-make-her-cry” session…

I have just realised that I haven’t told you anything about what my dissertation/project is all about. There is probably the big reason of I know exactly what I want to do, but I’m having some difficulties putting it down in words, I’m sure I could probably write a song about it but I’m almost positive that would get me nowhere. Basically I am hoping to explore the attitudes and perceptions of aging and retirement within an aging farming community. And I am almost definite that my title will be “Exploring the attitudes and perceptions of aging and retirement within an aging farming community” or possible something different using the same words in a different order. I don’t really know, a title is so SO important, which many of my writer friends will know as they have spent hours with a fabulous song or blog with no name… L

I'm interested in looking at the subjective experiences of male farmer’s with a focus on aging and the prospect of retirement. Essentially how they feel about getting old and facing the idea that they have to give up their farm or find someone else to take over.  And before people point out the obvious that children always take over, that is simply no longer the case as more and more opportunities are available to children from all walks of life, fewer farm children are choosing to stay on the family farm. And honestly who can blame them? I mean farming in today's climate is harder than it has ever been, but on the other hand we don't ever want to loose our farming community do we? Farming has evolved from a lifestyle that paid it's own way into a business where by the focus is all about money. #jessiehaditright

Right I’m offski,

Thank you

Take care

Claire x

The New Semester, The New Challenge

Hello my wonderful support network,

And I call you that, because as readers, I am so grateful for you. Honestly, I really reaaaaally am. And I’m fairly almost definitely sure that I will be in need of at least a little support over the next year.

This new label of my blog, called project progression is going to track, wait for it…. The progression of my project. Who would've bloody thought it? My project (for non uni friends) is my final year research project were by I will plan, carry out and report a research endeavour entirely by myself. So here is why I am writing this new section of my Love, Life and the things in Between Blog.

1)      I am hoping this will act as a sort of diary, as blogs generally are, so I can see where I am and what I’m doing and where I’m going in a non-academic format.

2)      I can tell other people, friends and family, how my project is going if they should, for any bizarre reason, want to know what’s going on.

3)      I am hoping that once it is completed it can act as some form of a guide to the dissertation writers of the future showing them the hurdles I came up against and how I (hopefully) managed to climb up and over them. As I haven’t seen anything like this before, I have no idea quite what will be here, but I feel that if I am honest with myself and you, as a reader, that this will somehow be of some use to someone at some point. Maybe just one person but that is good enough.

So thank you for reading this, and if you too are approaching a dissertation, GOOD LUCK and WORK HARD.

Thank you,

Take care lovely support network that I am so lucky and grateful to have

Claire xx

late night musings of a wannabe good person.... very late night.

Hello again,

Ahh the night, here we meet again. For many 11:35pm is no late night, alas for me it is well past my bed time and I am here, at  my desk as I have been for so long, so lost and confused by the weird side of YouTube and staring way being the obsessive side of Pinterest. I fear that this type of late night carry-ons could cause me to become some scary student creature of the night. Now I know I am just being odd and ranting but that is what I do. And what I do best. Don’t get me wrong, I normally rant about positive life things like being kind to bus drivers who wait for 10 extra seconds while they watch you run up to the bus clutching at your belongings as you then have to find your “correct change only please” to place in the money box. However the only really negative thing that I ever seem to rant about is me. Yes. I really do love to have a go at myself, just as every self-depreciating 20 something does. And why not? Sure that is better than hating others or judging everyone as below you?

My self-depreciating ways started a long time ago. A very long time ago. So long ago in fact I can hardly remember the first time I felt good about being me. About being proud of who I am, of what I am and what I am not. But then on the flip side I can vividly recall all the times I wanted to give up being me and start again as a new version, a Claire 2.0 as it were. This I have tried and failed at many times. It wasn’t until 2009 when I heard a quote from a singer I was only just starting to listen to, Taylor Swift (#sorrynotsorry) was in an interview discussing how when people try to be anyone other than themselves how they would one day run out of people to be. The best person to be is you. And yes I know it’s self-motivational and sappy but fine. I don’t mind. It’s good to fill your life with little things, pictures of cats, Taylor Swift quotes that make you a better person.

If you don’t know whether something is making you a better person then take a step back and look at who you become when you are with or near that thing, be it a person or object, an item of food or news feed. Look at the person you are after exposure to that thing. What do you do? Do you change? Are you kinder? Are you smiling more? Is your work better? Or are you grumpy? Do you find you have a headache from frowning? Are you slightly aggressive?

My favourite quote from the past few days was found, as they always are, on Pinterest.

“No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” ― Taylor Swift

And to this day, I think I must agree, I have met many people, on trains, buses and planes, in hotels, libraries and academic institutes, and the ones you remember, the people you know you will hope you bump into years into the future are the ones who were always good to you. I try to live in a good way, I am tolerant of everyone, even people whose intolerance I find it hard to tolerate, I am patient, I am attentive and I always try to be good, I forgive but I can never forget. When we look back at our lives we can only say how good we’ve been by how good we were to others and in return you see how good people are by how good they are to you. I must remind myself that a good person is a good person to everyone not just the people they like. It’s easy to be good to the good and friendly people; it’s the everyday garden variety idiots and evil ones that take the practise.

Somehow this little entry to my very self-indulgent blog section has gone from me saying I’m going to rant about me being a bad and unworthy person to be discussing quotes of Taylor and encouraging people to be good. I can’t be all bad then. But no one is perfect and I’ll never let me forget it! The only way you can be perfect is to keep trying to be the very best person you can be. So let’s just sit back and watch me go along in the marathon that is living the good life.

Take care lovely night time people
Claire x

Cardiff Comicon 2013

Hello you wonderful nerds of the world!

Saturday 31st of August was a fun filled day where geeks from around the country descend upon Cardiff, capitol city of Wales. Nerds rejoice in their day of recognition and the costumes, oh the costumes are marvellous.

Glenn as 11th doctor and I as Clara, the Impossible girl

This year I have stolen Glenn's 11th dr who outfit but used my own blue shirt and a pair of thick black leggings. Glenn was working hence he didnt need the outfit.

I have had to safety pin the top of the shirt where the top button is meant would normally be but isnt on my "ladies fashion not work" cotton blue shirt. 

I have a very VERY battered pair of black boots from my mothers collection of shoes. I chose to leave their shoe laces off as I felt it added to mthe rough boot look the 11th doctor has. They are also super comfy. 

Lianne as Captain Jack Harkness, look alike for 10, look alike for 11 and Me!

The bow tie, braces and jacket were part of Glenn's costume and the jacket is huge as you can see.

the best picture I have of make up/hair and sonic screwdriver, ofcourse!

Make up
Foundation was infallible porcelain by L'oreil.
Contour- Sunkist red/brown
Highlighter- Baked Blush by Beauty UK
Eyeshadow- bronzed browns by Beauty UK
Eyeliner- Wet and Wild liquid with felt applicator
Mascara- Clinique High Impact Mascara
Lipstick- Rimmel long lasting finish "Alarm" 170

I curled my hair with my Babyliss 1 3/4 tongs :)

the Glasses are my everyday Ray bans :)

I hope you liked my little tribute the beautiful 11th doctor.

Take care my chickadees!

Claire xx

Benefit Eyebrow Treat Review

Hello pretty looking people!

Last week I decided I was in dire need for an eyebrow wax, and I’ve been fed up of going to places that just tidy them up and don’t shape them, so I asked around for a few places that would do exactly what I needed and was directed to the Benefit Brow bar in Swansea’s Debenhams.

The lady I first spoke to explained that I would need to book on the day, which I was a bit gutted about as I wanted it done then and there, however I appreciated that it must be a pretty good indicator of how many people want their service. I decided to call back first thing, at 9:02am on Saturday to book myself in. Sorted, Thank you, lovely. When I turned up they were on time, I was on time but let’s face it, I’m always on time or early so I normally end up wait a bit.

The area was clear, no mess no fuss, their equipment draws looked neat and tidy. Also, and I don’t know if I’m just an awkward person, but I really liked that I didn’t have to lie down, it’s just something I don’t feel comfortable with. The seat was comfortable if a little wobbly, but that too, could just be me.

My beautician was very charming and looked very nice herself which I always find a comfort! She let me explain what I wanted and ran through our “plan” after I had signed to the T&C’s ect. She tested the wax on my hand too check it wasn’t too hot which I will be honest no one has ever done before but it made you feel like they cared. Now when the wax goes on I’m used to the “one, two, three, pull” countdown, but this did not happen which unnerved me at first but I got used to keeping calm as I’m a pansy when it comes to pain. I  had explained I have slightly uneven eyebrows in terms of where hair grows due to a scare and the fact my eyebrows fell out when I was 13/14 but grew back quickly enough but a little sparse. When the waxing was done I thought she had finished she asked if I would like to for her to put some make up on me and I agreed as I really hate the horrid “ive-obviously-just-had-my-eyebrows-waxed” blotchy look. So she out benefit tea tree based concealer on the red patches and you could feel the tea tree working its way over my sore skin. Then she defined my eye brows with the benefit brow Zings kit and it looked fabulous. She was very kind and taught me a few tricks to applying it best and how to make it last. However at first she used a light brown then decided a needed a medium but fair play to her, she just took it off with a cleanser and redid it all, she could’ve just said it looked good and sent me on my way.

She had given my eyebrows a new lease of life and I know where I will be going again. I decided to purchase the brow Zings kit, which for me was quite expensive but I really felt that I was a wise purchase because as they say, it’s better to but quality over quantity. The brow Zings kit is tiny and takes up virtually no space in my bag, it comes with tiny tweezers and two little brushes, a hard edge and a blender brush. The wax that holds your eyebrows in place is coloured but isn’t very dark when you apply it, it works more as the glue that keeps the brown powder locked in. I cleared it off last night before bed and it came away from my face so much easier than pencil. Applying the kit the next day was really easy to recreate what the beautician had shown me and I’m really glad I purchased it.

The cost for the eyebrow wax was £11.50 and although a little more than I usually pay, was one of the better experiences I’ve had with waxing. The brow Zings was… and this actually made my heart stop a little a first… £23.50. But something tells me I won’t need to be buying it again for a fair while.

Thank you to the lovely girls at the benefit brow bar for a good experience, I will surely be returning to you the next time I inevitably forget to tend to my eyebrows!

If your in Swansea, I highly recommend them, minimal  pain, nice shiny wax, good service. 5 out of 5!

Take care guys and stay beautiful!

Claire xx