Hello Stranger.

Wow, its been such a long time since my last post and a lot has certainly happened, and my life has changed so much!
For starters, I have started university! I got AAB in my A levels, so got into the University of Sheffield to study Biomedical Science. I've been in Sheffield for 7 weeks now, and finally feel settled. Homesickness hit me really hard in the first few weeks, and all I wanted to do was to go home. I found everything really overwhelming, and found it really difficult to adjust to my new life. Luckily, I have made some wonderful friends, both flatmates and on my course, who supported me through, and eventually I felt settled in my new home, or as my dad perfectly described it, "base" I'm not a big drinker, and would much prefer a few quiet drinks at the pub to a big flat party or club, which served to accentuate my dislike for uni life during Fresher's week, but once lectures and work kicked in, I began to feel much happier.
My course is pretty demanding, and keeps me busy. I'm stressed already, which isn't surprising, but it appears that I perform well in stressful situations, so I'm trying not to let it all get on top of me, and try and harvest it to making me more productive. I have however become even better at the art of procrastination, which I didn't even think possible!

As you can tell, its been a busy couple of months, and below are some pictures of what I've been up to.

late results day celebrations

homecoming meal for my friend who lives in London/last meal together before Uni

Leaving Party with my drinking buddies

my new lovely flatmates

ready for a halloween party

I am hoping to start blogging more regularly again to document my time at university, so I can look back at it when I’m older, and for other people to read and learn from my experiences. I aim to post recipes of easy student meals, advice, and to keep a journal of any exciting stuff I get up to, so watch this space!

prom.

On the 25th of May, I had my year 13 Leavers Prom, so I thought it was about time I shared some phots with you. It was a baking hot day and everyone was in high spirits!

Everyone came round to mine before hand for some pre-prom drinks and photos. It was lovely chilling in the garden with sunshine and champers! Prom was held at the Raddison Hotel in Liverpool, which was really nice (except for the price of the drinks - £5.80 for a vodka and coke!). We also had a three course meal which was delicious, free bucks fizz, and an awards ceremony.

Prom was such a good night, spent with my favourite people, and was certainly the best way to mark the end of my school life!

back in the game

Happy July! My exams finished just over a week ago, and I've been relaxing & destressing ever since. It feels really weird thinking that I never have to go to school again, and even weirder not having to revise/work after doing so for so long. Got a few posts planned regarding what I've been up to for the past couple of months that I haven't had the time to blog about before now, and I hope to update my blog layout, so keep your eyes peeled!

stresssssss.

I'm taking a short break from blogging before my head explodes with stress. With less than 10 weeks left before I leave school forever, things are getting pretty intense. I've got so much to do in the next 2 weeks (EPQ presentation/deadline, practical exams, revision, homework, breathing) that I don't know how I am going to find the hours in the day to fit it all in. There is so much riding on my A Levels, that blogging is the last thing on my mind, even if my blog does have to suffer a bit.

minnie mouse.

top: Topshop

cardi: H&M

jeans: New Look

earrings: Miss Selfridge

I am a big Disney lover - always have and always will. When I saw this top on the Topshop website a couple of months ago, it reminded me of Minnie Mouse's skirt, and I fell in love instantly. The top is absolutely perfect - I love the peter pan collar, the ruffles and the colour, even it is a bit short for my liking. It's pretty easy to wear, and I usually team it with jeans, most of the time because they're comfy and I'm too lazy to find something else!

Today I'm going out with mum and dad to the cinema to see Pirates: An Adventure with Scientists. Dad's a big kid and Ardman fan, so he's excited to see it. We're going for a meal afterwards which will be nice. The three of us rarely do things together, so it should be a nice afternoon!

grandad.

top: F&F at Tesco

cardi: Topshop

jeans: Hollister

necklace: Accessorize

I came across todays outfit whilst mucking around and trying different things on. I'm a sucker for nautical outfits, hence why I think I like this one so much. The tops a couple of years old, and used to be quite a long tunic, until I chopped it, and I much prefer it as a top. I got my cardi in this time last year in the sale and I think it was half price. It's nice and chunky, perfect for a day like today (where's the heat wave gone?), and reminds me of something your grandad would wear.

Today I've been to see the Hunger games with my friend Susannah. I was pretty excited about seeing it, as it;s had some good press, and it didn't disappoint. I thought it was a really good film that I would certainly reccommend. The storyline was really good too, so I definitely want to read the books!

currently coveting #1

1. Topshop scalloped vest - £15
I know that pretty much everyone has a vest like this, but I love them. I really like the mint colour of this one too - reminds me of mint choc chip ice cream!

2. New Look slippers - £15.99
I need a new pair of black shoes, as my current ones are about to give up the ghost. I really like these ones, and the price isn't too bad either. I think they'll look better without tights/socks, so perfect for spring. I just hope they aren't shoes that rub too much!

3. Hollister "Ocean Beach" Bikini - £40
Pretty pricey bikini, but I love it. I think with some saving, I may be wearing this around the pool or on the beach in Portugal this summer.

4. Topshop "Forget Me Not" Nail Varnish - £4
I don't own any of Topshop's nail varnishes, but I have only ever heard good things about them. I love the wide range of colours that they come in, but this one is my favourite.

5. H&M Blouse - £7.99
I really like pastel colours at the moment, and this blouse is no exception. I like the way it is bright, without being too in your face, and I like the way that it is longer than normal sleeveless shirts, as with being tall, I always seem to be pulling tops down or having to get a bigger size, which doesn't fit me as well.

6. Miss Selfridge Striped Denim Shorts - £26
Denim shorts are my favourite summer wardrobe staple, and I really like these ones. They'd look good on holiday, aswell as back home with tights.

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being a thrill seeker.

Yesterday I went to Alton Towers as my last ever school trip. Despite the early morning, and my friend loosing his wallet, I had such a great day. It was busier than I expected, but even still, the longest we queued was about 40 mins. The weather was nice, which was an added bonus too. Went on pretty much all the rides, and my fave ride was Nemesis, which seemed faster than usual. I was a little bit disappointed with the new ride, even if it was terrifying. I got drenched on Ripsaw, and my friend got even wetter on the rapids (after boasting that she was the only one that was dry, a massive wave came over and soaked her. So funny!) and again on the Flume. I was buzzing when I got home, but absolutely shattered after an awesome day!

what jo did #1

one. Today I finished school for the easter holidays. Meant to finish tomorrow, but we're going on an extra special school trip which I shall tell you about next. Anyway, I'm looking forward to easter, even if I do have a tonne of work to do. I'm planning on getting fit for summer, so hopefully the weather stays nice, so I can do some bike riding.

two. Because we've not got long left in school before we leave (scary stuff!), tomorrow we are being treated to a day at Alton Towers! I've been mega excited about it all week, and now I can't wait. I want to see whether the rumours about the new ride are true, and hopefully the queues aren't to big, but it's going to be a really good day!

three. Last week, I went to Sheffield to have a look around the uni. I've applied to do Biomedical Science, and was planning on putting Sheffield as my first choice, only if I liked it. I loved the place, I loved the course, so I definitely want to go there in September. Talking of finishing school and going to uni is really frightening, like it's forcing me to grow up. Maybe Peter Pan might pay me a visit and take me to Neverland!

four. I've been enjoying the independence of driving by myself, even if it is a bit daunting. It's really weird driving alone with no-one next to me, and I find myself thinking out aloud. Last Friday, I had a motorway lesson with my driving instructor which was petrifying, but I enjoyed it, even if some other drivers are ruthless!

penny-farthing.

top: Forever 21

cardigan: New Look

skirt: Miss Selfridge

tights: Primark

This is what I wore this afternoon. I bought the top in New York (Forever 21 in Times Square is absolutely amazing! Could have bought the whole shop!) and its lovely. I really like the Penny-farthing pattern on it. Teamed it with a simple black skirt, and my favourite red cardi, and I'm good to go.

Happy Mothers Day to my amazing mum! I know it sounds cliché, but my mum means the world to me, and I love her to pieces. She spoils me rotten, does literally everything for me, and I don't know where I would be without her. The tables have been turned today and I've spoiled her for a change. I bought her a bunch of flowers, and took her out for lunch this afternoon. We both had roast beef with all the trimmings, and they came with giant homemade yorkshire puddings - yummy! Had such a lovely afternoon.

eight minors.

Today, I passed my driving test! It was my second attempt (nearly knocked someone over on my first test - whoops!) and I honestly believed that I was going to fail from the moment I got into the car, so I'm absolutely made up!!

As you can probably guess from the title, I got 8 minor faults. I could of and have drove better, but I was so nervous, so I'm not surprised. I'm just so happy to have passed and can't wait to get on the road with my new found freedom!

catch up!

Someone's been a naughty blogger. Sorry for a lack of updates since my birthday, but I've been mega busy.

one. School. Surprise surprise, school has taken up a lot of my time. I've had my practical exams in Chemistry and Biology, which went ok, but I hate doing them. The grade boundaries are ridiculous, so doing well in them is pretty much impossible. Going to do the other lot though, which are easier to do better in, so fingers crossed. I've also been busy doing my EPQ, which is taking up a lot of my time at the moment! Hopefully it will all be worth it in the end.

two. Got the results of my January exams on Thursday, and I am actually over the moon. Luckily all my hard work paid off and I got 4A's and 3B's. I wont have any resits in the summer either, so I'll only have 3 exams, which will be helpful as there is so much to learn!!

three. Been to Keele University today for an Open day. Keele's my insurance choice, and I was quite impressed. The halls were a little outdated, and unfortunately we weren't allowed to see the labs, but I was impressed with everything else. The campus and surrounding areas are also pretty and peaceful.

four. Done a little update of my layout. I was getting a bit bored of the spots, so I went for something a lot simpler, and I like it. I hope you do too.

birthday.

Here's a couple of photos from my birthday celebrations. After school on Tuesday, mum, dad, my friend Susannah and I went to Frankie and Benny's for a meal, and then yesterday I had some drinks with my friends down at the pub. I've had such a good birthday, and it still hasn't quite sunk in yet that I'm an adult. To be honest, in my mind, I still feel about four! I would just like to thank (anyone who is reading this) that has made my birthday so special.

eighteen.

Yesterday was my 18th birthday! The mega excitement of last week took the attention away from my birthday a bit, and I hadn't really given it much thought. I was a bit disappointed that I was returning to school after half term as well, as my birthday usually falls in half term. Having my chemistry practical exam yesterday was also a bit of a bummer.

Nevertheless, I had a lovely day. School wasn't too bad, made better by seeing all my friends again. My friend Abbie even made me a cake which made me smile. After school, I bought my first legal alcoholic drink - berry cider - and opened some pressies and cards. I went to Frankie & Benny's for a meal with my mum, dad and friend Susannah which was lovely. Afterwards, we went back down to the pub to finish the night with some family friends.

Mum and Dad bought my a bracelet for my birthday from Tiffany's, as well as my holiday to New York. I had such a fantastic birthday, and now I have to get used to the fact that I am officially an adult!!

new york photo diary.

So, I'm back from New York, and pretty jet lagged. I'm glad to be home, but so sad not to be there. I had such an amazing time in my favourite place ever, and I really really didn't want to come home. I've decided that the best way to share my experience there is a photo diary, so be prepared for a picture heavy post that follows!

sunday

flight | times square | hard rock cafe for dinner | hotel lobby

monday

pancakes for breakfast | saw a school bus! | 9/11 memorial | statue of liberty | walked across brooklyn bridge

tuesday

shopping on 5th ave | carriage ride around central park | ice skating | saw wicked!

wednesday

went up the empire state building | shopping at macy's | radio city music hall | empire state building from top of the rock| shopping at bloomingdales | had a milkshake at johnny rockets

wednesday

buying sweets in wonka world | saying goodbye | chilling at the airport

"i want to be a part of it, new york, new york"

Tomorrow, I am off to New York. I fly out in the morning, so this will be the last post before I go.

Word's can't actually describe how excited I am. We have been planning this trip (for my 18th Brithday) for nearly 4 years, and the fact that it is finally here is just amazing. Got so much exciting stuff planned: Ice skating in Central Park, shopping, going up the Empire State Building & the Rockerfeller Building, as well as seeing Wicked on Broadway!

I doubt I will be able to post while I'm there, due to our jam packed days, but expect a photo overload when I get back!

larynjitis.

For the past week and a bit, I have been suffering from a hideous post exam stress lurgey. A full on cold, headache, and general tiredness hit me like a train last Sunday, and I've been feeling rough ever since. The "Big Freeze" hasn't helped, feeling cold all the time (I even put hand warmers in my slippers to generate a bit of heat!). On Friday, my voice had given up completely after spending most of Thursday sounding like I smoked 80 a day. I went to the doctor who diagnosed me with Larynjitis. A day off school and a weekend's rest has seem to have done the trick, and today I woke up feeling a lot better.

I need to get better soon, as I'm off to New York on Sunday!!

new beginnings.

Hello, welcome to my blog, "Joanna Louise" (previously Joanna is Magic). As you have probably guessed, my name is Joanna, or Jo for short, and I am a 17 year old student from Cheshire.

My new years resolution for 2012 was to blog regularly again. I lost my blogging mojo with my blog back in October, when school got in the way, and I never really had anything exciting about. I saw it more as a chore rather than something I wanted to do. Unfortately though I had to make a late start to this resolution as all 7 (seven!!!) of my January exams got in the way and my life was dominated with revision. But they finished on Friday, and here I am. So, happy reading!