Leap Year

So I have been rattling my brain, wondering what I could blog about this week. There is no news on the New York front so I started thinking about Ireland, and well as you know I am going to Ireland next month, which is like in less than three weeks time, exciting times :) Anyway, as I was saying...Ireland, it then reminded me of a movie I watched called Leap Year, starring Amy Adams and fellow Brit Matthew Goode. He convinced me that he was Irish! Though looking back at the trailer now, I can tell it is put on haha, but before, I swore he was Irish. 
Leap Year is a real chick flick, and if you haven't guessed by now...besides being a shopaholic, I am a real girly girl and I love my chick flicks, LOVE my chick flicks. I can list a number of my favourite chick flicks, but my all time favourite movie well has to be Lord of the Rings...surprised? I would have thought so, I love everything about Lord of the Rings, and super excited for The Hobbit. <3 

Anyway back to the movie Leap Year, thought I would talk about it, since it is One: Set in Ireland.
Two: It's a Leap Year this year. 
Three: Matthew Goode is sort of hot.
Four: I adore the Irish accent.  

Here is the trailer. 

A review of Leap Year
 Four stars (or rather Four Irish clovers)
I would give this movie five stars, it is really good and really cheesy.  But it has it faults, hence why it didn't quite make it to five clovers. 

Map of Ireland 

 Image from http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/ireland/ 


1. It doesn't make geographical sense...at all. 
The first part of the movie is set in Boston, Massachusetts. Leading lady Anna Brady (Amy Adams) flies from Boston to Dublin Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on the 29th February. Simple...yeah no...Her flight has complications which is diverted to Cardiff, Wales.  Which is sort of understandable, I mean there is a storm so she can't fly straight to Dublin so a detour to the United Kingdom...hence Cardiff...Anyway, while at Cardiff she hires a boat to take her to Cork. Bearing in mind Cork is in the south of Ireland while Dublin is in the East, but whatever...she obviously just wanted to get to Ireland...so she hopped onto a boat to Cork. While on the boat, the storm is still going which means while on the boat, instead of landing in Cork like she planned, she lands in Dingle Peninsula. You may wonder where that is...it is in the South West of Ireland...yes that's right...South West...like I said it didn't make geographical sense. But whatever. Does she make it to Dublin by the 29th? The answer is well...yes. But it isn't all that airy fairy, she had complications on the way, that involving Matthew Goode's character, hot Irish man Declan O'Callaghan. 

Dingle Peninsula

Image from http://www.couminolecottage.com/images/map2.bmp 


See what I mean from the two maps? Doesn't make geographical sense.


2. Another reason to why it only has four clovers is, because of the ending...it was cute I give you that, but I sort of found it really unrealistic...ok, the whole movie probably wasn't realistic at all, but still. If I watch it again, I probably will still love it lol. 


Do bear in mind I have only watched this movie once, and the memory of this movie is from last summer, so I am terribly sorry if I have made some mistakes...though I have ordered it on DVD off Amazon, so that I can watch it before I go to Dublin with the girls. 
Anyway overall the movie is good, and Ireland is beautiful, now let's just hope that I don't quite have the same luck as Anna Brady...I rather not have our flight diverted to Cardiff, which then leads me to catch a boat that takes me to Dingle Peninsula instead of Cork. But if it does happen...then I very much would like a Declan O'Callaghan. 
Scrap that, I want to meet a Declan O'Callaghan whether or not I have the same fate as Anna Brady. I guess this isn't much of a review of the movie, but why let me spoil the movie for you? ;) 
Anyway this year is a Leap Year, nothing significant to me really, It just an extra day to the year, but to all you ladies out there this year is the year to propose to your boyfriend...after all it is a Leap Year! Romantic old me would rather have the man propose, but if you are tired of waiting and well are very brave, then 29th of Feb is your day! :) 


Anyway this is going to be a short blog, but I thought I would finish it off, with something...well Irish. The girls and I are planning where we are going and what we are going to see, one of them is this:


Leprechaun Museum

That's right there is such museum. a museum dedicated entirely to Leprechauns! I hope it is a good museum! 19 days till Dublin! (counting today)

Sam x

Dublin Baby!

I have good news! Before you even think it is a job offer...it is not. But from the title I am pretty sure you can guess that I have fulfilled or rather will be fulfilling one of my New Year Resolutions! That's right I am going to Dublin! The dates are set, the tickets booked, the hotel or rather in my case Bed and Breakfast booked! Super excited! Already planning on what I will take with me! Like I said before I am super organised!  It feels so good to know that I am going to fulfil one of my  New Year's Resolutions! A great motivator! It makes me want to accomplish the others on my list. I am super excited, so are the three friends going with me! It is going to be one great girly trip! Three nights and four days well ish! Anyway there is still lots of planning to do, need to plan what we are going to do, where we will go, need to budget some money! Speaking about budgeting money I am already budgeting finances for when I am in New York, even if I don't have a job yet! 


I was really worried about telling my parents about my plans to go to Ireland for a few days, I honestly thought they would totally freak out, like they did when I mentioned about working in New York. But in fact they seemed pretty calm about it, perhaps Ireland is nothing in comparison to my New York bombshell. Anyway I told them about my plans ( I had done my research prior to telling them) and they seem pretty relaxed about it. So what I hope that you as the readers can take away with you guys from reading this blog is that: Communication is key. 
After mentioning Dublin, I spoke to them about New York, explaining how helpful the company I am going with are. I told them about the jobs I have applied for and how long I plan to go for. Now they seem less weary and more supportive with my decisions. My mum even suggested I do my research of American legislation's. My mum is a real worrier, she is the sort of angry worrier, ones who have really angry tones and comes up with all the worst case scenarios. While my dad, he is a silent man, a silent worrier. It sort of surprised me when he asked me 'Don't you think we would worry about you?' The answer to that question is well yes. I do know that they will be worried. I mean who wouldn't? 
I feel less anxious and stressed now that I have spoken to them, gained their approval, their trust in me. They trust me to know what I am doing and I am eternally grateful, that they are letting me do this, that they are letting me grow up, letting me have my own adventures and to make my own mistakes. 
I didn't realise until now that communication was all it took, just talking to my parents helped relieve my anxieties and their worries. I see now why they always got angry with me, when I wouldn't tell them anything. When I went out I would spring it on them last minute, so they couldn't say no. The truth is I was so afraid of them saying no, that is why I told them last minute, just so that I could go out. But that was wrong of me. I remember a few times when my parents said no and I still went out, how stupid I was, for not telling them earlier, how angry and worried they must of been, when I stormed out ignoring their orders. This is why parents always want to know: Where you are? Where you are going? Who you are with? What time will you be home? How you are getting home? It is all out of love. I feel so silly now for how I behaved as a teenager. How stupid I was to think that if I told my parent's last minute, they wouldn't have a chance to say no. They said 'no' out of frustration, frustrated with my behaviour and perhaps the fact they had already prepared my portion for dinner and I said I was going out. 
So yes communication is so important. Before I spoke to my parents, my mum would tell everyone that I was going to New York on a silly girl's dream, but now that I actually spoke to her, she doesn't think I am being as stupid or as naive. I explained that I have done my research. My dad still as silent as ever, but I know he is relieved that I actually spoke about it. 


I know it can be scary telling your parents about something big, something that can cause quite an impact in your life, but there is nothing to be worried about. At the end of the day, they know that they have to let you make your own decisions, make your own mistakes. By speaking to them they can offer you their guidance and advice, sometimes not always support,but there will always be love. 
I have always been quite an indecisive person, but I have never been as sure as I am today about going to New York and I have full respect for my parents, for their angry outbursts, their list of worst case scenarios and for their ultimate trust and faith they have in me. 

So this blog is dedicated to my mum and dad, I love you and thank you for giving me the support and love I need to fulfil my dreams. Despite our difference and disagreements, and your slightly over protectiveness, I am forever grateful. <3


Sam

New York, Fashion Capital of the World

I am not sure if I told you, but I am a huge fashion lover, I love shopping, and styling outfits together. I am a planner, and well like to plan outfits...what can I say I am well organised. Anyway I thought I would have a blog, showing my love for fashion and New York. My love for New York has mainly been because of movies and TV programs and also because of books. Here are a few fashion styles I have chosen that relate to one of my favourite books, TV programs and movies. Starting alphabetically, with Blue Bloods, one of my favourite book series, sure it is aimed at teens, but I did start reading it when I was in my teens. Followed by one of my favourite TV programs, Gossip Girl. And finally I am ending with Sex and the City. I know that Gossip Girl is based on books, but I have only really watched the TV program. I also have only watched the Sex and the City movies. 

Anyway here we go:

Blue Bloods - Melissa De La Cruz

I love the Blue Blood Series by Melissa De La Cruz. I love the whole idea of vampires having a back story, a story about being fallen angels, condemned to live eternity on earth as vampires...Blue Bloods. Of course it is no vampire story without trouble and a complicated love story. Anyway, instead of turning this into a book review, here is an explanation to why I have chosen these items. 
On the top left side corner, are the six books that are currently out. (Well books of the series, not the companion books) I have created outfits that I would wear to the Four Hundreds Ball and to school. The top right hand corner I have a beautiful Jenny Packham gown, with a pair of beautiful Miu Miu gold peep toe shoes and a gold clutch bag to match. With Tiffany's jewellery of course! As for the after party of the Four Hundreds Ball, there is a masquerade, here I have chosen a beautiful gold mask. Perhaps I can catch Jack Force's eyes in this drop dead, sophisticated, sparkly outfit. ;)
On the bottom left hand corner, the outfit I have picked out for school, while I mingle with the fellow Blue Blood elites at Duchesne. I have chosen this beautiful grey beige H&M dress (Which I own), It is beautiful and a perfect day outfit, with a pair of beautiful brown Louboutins and a beautiful Mulberry bag. With that outfit, I would be all set for school, though perhaps those shoes are a little too high.
My favourite item from the Blue Blood collection, has definitely got to be the Jenny Packham gown, it is absolutely beautiful, a dress I can definitely see myself wearing....not that I can afford such a beautiful dress! Also I can see the Duchess of Cambridge wearing that dress too, after all she has been seen wearing another design by Jenny Packham. 
The reason Blue Bloods is in this list as,one: it is set and based in New York, after all these vampires are known as the New York Coven. Anyway, I have fallen in love with the Schuyler Van Alen and Jack Force love affair, and I want to be strolling down Perry Street to see if I can see the two love birds. Or perhaps I will go down to the Upper West Side where Schuyler Van Alen lives, right on Riverside Drive. Or to the hot clubs in town, The Bank or perhaps Block 120 ( not entirely sure these clubs actually exist) Also Mr Force lives on 5th Avenue, what more can I say? 5TH AVENUE!

http://www.polyvore.com/blue_bloods/set?id=42161362


Gossip Girl
I love Gossip Girl and I love the fashion in Gossip Girl, especially Blair Waldorf's wardrobe. So I have chosen a couple of outfits I would wear, as you can see they are very summery outfits, and to be honest, I love spring/summer wear. I hate wearing winter clothes, I really do. 
The outfit on the left, is a beautiful vintage looking blush colour blouse, I have paired the beautiful blouse with the beautiful cream coloured skirt and a simple brown belt. With a pair of beautiful Louboutin shoes and a perfect brown Mulberry bag to match. And of course, B's signature headband, a Lipsy headband, This outfit would go perfectly while hanging around with B & S at Columbia University. On the right hand side, is an outfit, I would wear to the White Party down at the Hamptons, very cute and vintage looking. 
I know these outfits are very neutral in colours, and BW is all about bold colours, but who says I am BW?
My favourite item from the Gossip Girl collection has got to be that Mulberry bag, another item I cannot afford, yet it is still beautiful.
Gossip Girl is set in New York, just like Blue Bloods, it talks about the elites. When I am in New York, I want to perhaps have brunch at the Palace Hotel, and perhaps I will spot the gang from the Upper East Side, and perhaps I will catch some drama that I can send to GG herself. I also would love to attempt to get into the numerous clubs the Gossip Girl gang manage to get in too! Even if they are underage...though I will turn 21 this year...so I can go legally! And like Mr Force, the gang live in well the Upper East Side, some down 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue.
And finally I want to go to the top of the Empire State Building! And perhaps Chuck Bass will be waiting there with flowers and an engagement ring...from Tiffany's ;)

http://www.polyvore.com/gossip_girl/set?id=42162293

Sex and the City

Sex and the City...who doesn't love that? Here are some outfits I would rock while hanging with the SATC girls. The outfit on the left is a simple teal blouse, with beige trousers and black strapped wedges. A perfect outfit for work, the outfit looks great with a Paul's Boutique black bag, and a cute beige floppy hat, and since this is a working girl's outfit, no writer can be without a cute vintage looking notebook and the very important smartphone. Perhaps that will be me one day, dressing like that for work!

On the right is an outfit, I thought was cute,and a little different to your average dress. A Matthew Williamson design and something I can see Carrie Bradshaw wearing, and with some Jimmy Choo Shoes!  

My favourite item from this collection will have to be that gorgeous gold dress, it is absolutely stunning. A stunning design from Matthew Williamson, another dress I cannot afford, yet it is so beautiful.  

Everyone knows that Sex and the City is set in New York, with the famous four girls. Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha. FYI I am nothing like Samantha, we just share the same name, I see myself personality wise a mix of Carrie Bradshaw and Charlotte York, perhaps more Charlotte then Carrie, but I would say fashion wise, more Carrie Bradshaw  that Charlotte York.:)

Anyway I would love to go to Magnolia Bakery and perhaps go and stand outside Carrie Bradshaw's apartment. Imagining that I live there.

http://www.polyvore.com/sex_city/set?id=42163862

Of course there are many movies,books and TV programs that I have watched that haven't made it onto my list. But like any other visitors to New York, I will want to visit where Friend's was set. And where the gang's apartment 'would be'. And of course have breakfast at Tiffany's! Take a stroll in Central Park, standing in Time Square yelling Yatta! like Hiro did in Heroes. Of course I will want to go shopping down 5th Avenue, who wouldn't? And visit the tourist areas, after all I am British and a girl who has dreamt about going to New York for so many years.

I am honestly quite excited with the idea of being in New York in the summer, I hope that I make some wonderful friends and perhaps we will have the same moments we all love and have seen on TV. Perhaps we will be going to a local coffee shop, where we will make it our local and being our meeting point, where we would gossip. And like all the famous girls of New York, from Mimi Force & Bliss Llewellyn from Blue Bloods, Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen, and the Sex and the City girls, Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha, perhaps we will go shopping in Barney's and Bloomingdales, mooning over items we simply cannot avoid unlike the elites from the big and small screens. 

I just need to get myself a job! Come on employers please reply! Fingers cross that I get a reply soon and perhaps next time I blog I can share some good news. 

Sam

A small town girl with big dreams <3 Never give up on your dreams. <3

'Be the change you wish to see in the world'

Gandhi once said 'You must be the change you wish to see in the world.' 

Yes perhaps I stole that line from a movie, (Monte Carlo - Yes, a chick flick, but quite a good one. Starring one of my favourite actresses, Leighton Meester - not Selena Gomez.) Anyway upon hearing that line for the first time I was quite inspired and the quote sort of well - stuck, and I sort of based my New Year Resolutions around this quote. I have a list, a rather long list. Some I doubt I will achieve, but here's to trying. Want to hear them? Well you are in luck. 

Sam's New Year's Resolutions!

1. Be in New York for my 21st Birthday.

This is my number 1, and one I very much want to accomplish, besides I have a 'big' birthday this year. Not that I care too much about it, I hate the whole embarrassment and being centre of attention. Like last year! When I specifically said I didn't want a cake! and what happens? I get a cake with a firework for a candle! I definitely was not amused! My table drew more attention than the other table who was celebrating someones birthday and they had twice as many people! Let's just say I haven't really had very good birthdays since my 17th, my 16th wasn't exactly brilliant either. Anyway, this is my personal wish, to be in New York as I add another year to my age. 

 (My 20th birthday...see the firework)

2. Get back into driving.
I passed my test back in August 2010, before I started uni, that was my goal! to pass before I started uni, the one before that was to pass before I turned 19, unfortunately for me, I failed my test a day before my 19th birthday. Like I said not had the best birthdays. Anyway since it took me three times, and I honestly thought I failed my third test, I haven't driven since last January, yes that is most likely a year ago, and I agree it is awful. So hence why...I need to get back into driving, but I am scared. 
3. Spend a weekend in Ireland.
As suggested by my cousin's husband. quite sound advice as well. I haven't really experience life as a student, since my course is only two days a week and well all the friends I have made are commuters too. I don't really know what it is like to be away from family. Sure I have been on a international flight by myself. (Which was very scary.) I haven't really experienced life on my own. so what better way to do that, then having a weekend away. Ireland is my destination,I have always wanted to go and who doesn't love the Irish accent? I was planning to go before my trip to NY, time will tell if I make to the land of leprechauns.
4. Get a 2:1! 
I would love a 2:1! I have never been academically brilliant. Never got an A, (well only in coursework) I mean in final grades always got B's and C's and Alevels...well let's just say I didn't fail. Some may say achieving a 2:1 is achievable, in my books, if I don't...it is the end of the world. I was devastated last year for only getting a 2:2. Getting a 2:1 is important to me and I am working hard to try achieve that. My New York dream sort of depends on doing well in uni. I mean I don't want to be out in the states and find out that I failed my second year. 
5. Finish a story!
I am an amateur writer, nothing published! I am not that good! I write fanfiction and have original writing in progress. Let's just say it is taking me a while to write, and with uni and work well squeezing in time to write is hard - but not impossible. So yes I would love to finish a story. 
6. Be Spontaneous!
I am not a spontaneous person. I personally like things well organised and that I know what is going to happen. Probably why I don't like driving! Let's just say I am a girl who likes to live in a safe bubble, afraid to try new things because I don't know what the outcome may be. So it is about time I step out of my bubble and be more spontaneous...in an organised way. Well that sorts of contradicts the whole being spontaneous thing. Well I can't just go to New York without a plan, can I? 
7. Do not leave essays to the last minute! 
Ok, I don't normally leave work to the last minute, but who does work over the Christmas holidays? Besides that is three weeks to do two essays! I have finished my essays now...first drafts anyway and it is Friday night...and I really need to go through those essays but I am writing my blog...well who doesn't get bored with uni work. 
Friday Night - Lady Antebellum
And since I mentioned the words Friday Night, I thought why not put in a song by Lady Antebellum, my current favourite band :)
8. Get up earlier!/Sleep earlier!
Something I don't see happening but still worth a try right? I love my sleep a little too much.
9. Go out more, live a little.
Yes I need to do that, hence my New York Dream! 
10. Be my age. 
By no means am I immature, in fact I am very mature for my age. Always have been. I am not like the other 20 years old, I don't enjoy going out clubbing or drinking my guts out. My idea of a Friday/Saturday night would be watching a movie, reading, listening to music or simply writing. Even at 18 I was not too keen on the idea of clubbing. That does not mean I don't go out...I do. On special occasions, like New Year's and birthdays. I have spent my teens wishing I was older and well let's just say I shouldn't be wishing my life away...I should enjoy being 20...well for another 6 months anyway...before I turn 21. 


So as you can see from the list New York is the top one. The main priority. I have always wanted to go, I fell in love with New York through books, TV programs and movies. I only really thought about physically going to New York when I was 18. Well 18 and a half. Someone asked me what my ambition was, what my to do list was by the time I turned 21. I never really had a to do list before, so it got me thinking and well to be in New York on my 21st birthday became my ambition. So here I am, six months before June, hoping my dream comes true. All I want on my birthday is me and New York City (And nice weather...if possible). No cake, no presents, no embarrassments. Just me and the city that never sleeps. So like Gandhi said 'You must be the change you wish to see in the world.' If you want change, if you want something to happen, it is down to you to make that change. 


Sam x

My American Dream

I am a writer, just not your average blog writer, more of your fictional writer. Amateur writer anyway. I thought why not write about my dreams, about my experiences, and hopefully I can be able to fulfill my dreams and inspire others in following your own dreams. Well I need to accomplish my dreams first before I can inspire anyone. 
So it is the first of January 2012 and hopefully in six months time, I will be standing in the 'Big Apple' fulfilling my dream and making new ones. 
There are many obstacles between me and my 'Big Apple' dream however I am going to try my best to overcome all these hurdles. 
One hurdle well obviously will be money...I am not well know as a saver, actually my middle name might as well be shopaholic. I am terrible, but at least I stick to high street and not designer, cannot say the same for makeup, but that's a different story. I am a girl who loves to shop and New York will be my haven. Any shopaholics dream shopping destination, well in my opinion anyway. 
Two: well that will be my parents, or rather my family. Let's just say I come from a strict Asian family, any Asians out there I think you will understand. You see I am not just planning to go out to New York for my birthday and a holiday, nope I have decided to work there for the summer, for about three months. Hence why my family think I am completely mad for deciding to go to a country that I have never been too, where I know absolutely no one, I just want to simply...work. 
Three: That will be my degree, I am a second year student, and well as you may know the first year doesn't count to your overall degree but your second and third year does...well my own personal goal is not to only pass this year but to also get a 2:1 to match my 21 years on this earth. Well who doesn't want a 2:1? 
So do you think I am crazy for deciding to randomly go to New York and work for the summer? Many people think I am naive to think that New York is well like a fairytale. To be honest, I am 20 years old and I am a big girl, I know that New York isn't how it is portrayed in TV programs and movies, well not all of it anyway. And I am not sitting on a silly girl's naive fantasy, I know the dangers, what dangers I could be putting myself in, but isn't it part of life to well simply take risks? I have never been a spontaneous girl, and I suppose this dream of mine is sort of spontaneous, since I will not know what is out there, who I will meet, what it is like. But I will be well organised, I will do my checks, I will avoid places with high danger zones. 
Come June I am not going to pack my suitcase, grab my passport and hop on a plane to NYC and go job hunting no, there are so many procedures, so that's why I have signed up to a company that specifically helps people fulfill their dreams of working abroad. Like I said before I'm organised. Anyway If you want to know about that company I signed up with, I shall be writing it in another blog, I don't want to bore my readers (if there is any) with a long blog.
Anyway hopefully I can fulfill my dreams and perhaps you be here to follow me to fulfill my dreams.

 This is a picture taken last night, New Year's Eve 2011 and I am convinced the city on my top is NYC, so a New Year, New Start, New York. 

Sam