New Year, New You?

Soo, we are in the final days of 2014! How exciting! But this is also very scary?! Where has this year gone? It is certainly true that with age the years go quicker. So with that Christmas chaos over, everyone is turning their thoughts to the new year. How are you going to celebrate it? Is 2015 going to be a new start for you? I have listed some new years resolutions for those of you struggling out there! Now, as everyone promises at the beginning of each year that they will stick by their resolution and by March they can't even remember what it was in the first place, this year I am actually going to abide by it! Remember its small steps that help you achieve your overall goal.

My new years resolution: Take more advantage of the opportunities presented to me in all aspects of life.

Here are five resolutions to think about:

1. Get Fit- probably the most popular new years resolution that almost everyone promises to themselves, and possibly the one most commonly broken! Getting fit is not just about hitting the gym for two hours a day, its the small things. If you can, choose to walk or cycle to work/ uni/ school, walking is one of the best ways to get fit. Replace toast for breakfast with muesli or porridge, both of which slowing release energy throughout the day. Don't snack past 9pm, a late night nibble is always tempting I know but try and hold off until the morning! Exercising can increase your serotonin levels by releasing endorphins which make you a generally happier person! Start slow with a walk/jog and then increase your milage or alternatively join the gym and build up your fitness level. Also, there are so many sports clubs out there go along, you never know you may love it!

2. Travel- This is really reliant on time and money, but if you can experience somewhere new! This isn't just about holidays either. I know in my head I'm desperate to go to New York as soon as I can, however I'm rather restricted in the financial department being a student, so I'm gonna start saving in the new year! However, even spending those Sundays with family or friends in different cities in the UK or at places you've always wanted to visit makes such as difference to your life in 2015, making you feel good about yourself for visiting somewhere new out of the monotonous routine.

3. Learn Something New- Now this may be the easiest and possibly cheapest resolution you can take on. Learning little things from baking different cakes, or knitting some socks to learning to play a new sport or gaining a qualification can make a difference to your life with that great feeling of achievement. Achieving something instigates that sense of pride, and its always nice to feel proud of yourself once in a while.

4. Be More Positive- With every problem, or everything that hasn't quite gone your way try and think of one positive outcome, even if it is to learn from your mistake. That way, those day to day things won't feel so bad, and you'll become more of a positive person.

5. Take Care of Yourself- Maybe once per week treat yourself to some 'me time'. If you have time, take a relaxing bath with some amazing smelling bubble bath, a bit of music, I recommend a bit of Norah Jones, its so relaxing! Take care of your skin by using moisturiser and cleansers and if you have ten minutes, a face mask does the world of good. You will notice a change in your skin, and this will help you build confidence, you will feel better about yourself and it is worthwhile!

To see other recommended resolutions, check out Buzzfeed- http://www.buzzfeed.com/maggyvaneijk/candy-crush-invites-are-a-no-go#.cwL2WbRddV

What have I done this year?

So 2014 is coming to a close and its around this time we all begin to reflect on the year. There is currently a trend circulating on Facebook naming seven things you have done this year, so I thought I would share them on here first... here goes!

1. I kicked off my year with my 19th birthday (12th January) and went to see Les Mis on the West End. It was absolutely fantastic and I may have to say the best musical I have seen ever?

2. In March I visited one of my good friends at her uni in Cheltenham, unfortunately our other friend became very ill very rapidly, and no it was not due to alcohol! The weekend was spent caring for our mate, with a trip to hospital thrown in, whilst trying to avoid catching his illness. I spent a rather large section of the weekend on the phone to NHS direct, although it was all very hilarious constructing some sort of sleeping area in the corridor to avoid catching said illness which the doctors suggested was 'highly contagious'. Maybe 2015 will be my year to explore Cheltenham? (bar the hospital of course!)

3. I went punting in my university city of Oxford with a group of friends and luckily no one fell in! It is such a great way to see the city, and yes I did have a go although I was better at taking photos.

4. I passed my first year of university with a solid 2:1, kinda wish that year counted now...

5. I had the best cinematic experience of my life in May. On a whim, my mum and I went to see 'The Other Woman' in the directors lounge. With the choice of a drink from the bar and free popcorn, not to mention the sofa type loungers you sat on. Although I had already seen the film, it is so hilarious  which obviously made the experience so much better! I recommend it for a treat.

6. I went on my first holiday abroad without my parents. In August I jetted off to Malia with a bunch of friends and no, its not exactly how they make out in the Inbertweeners movie! Despite waking up feeling very rough each morning, I had one of the best weeks ever, filled with sunshine, fun and great company.

7. Finally I began to pursue my passion for writing. Back in May I decided I wanted to join the blogging craze and divulge my opinions over matters that are often interesting topics of debate, hence the name 'Those giant questions'. I have also recently submitted an article to the student newspaper here at uni and I'm looking forward to it being printed (fingers crossed!)

That was rather difficult trying to narrow it down! I recommend everyone should give this a go, even if its brief. Its always nice to reflect on the year you've had and what you've achieved.

The Christmas Tag

Im getting in the Christmas mood so I thought I would have a go at the 'Christmas tag' post recommended to me by my friend and fellow blogger Lauren. Have a go at answering these yourself and feel free to disagree with any of my answers! Merry Christmas! 

What is your favourite Christmas film?

Oo this is a rather tricky one! But as I'm quite a hopeless romantic at heart I will have to go for Love Actually, which I pick not only for its many story lines and clever plot, but also its humour! We all love the scene with Rowan Atkinson in Selfridges! Not to mention its array of brilliant famous faces. Any film starring Colin Firth and Hugh Grant is bound to be good right? However, I am quite a fan of The Holiday, the one where Winslet and Diaz swap houses for Christmas, it again is very funny with a great story line and stars the lovely Jude Law!

Have you ever had a White Christmas?

Sadly no, not that I recall. I think the closest I have come to it is having a very thin layer of snow on the ground but I am sure that doesn't count!

Where do you usually spend your holiday? 

I have spent Christmas in various houses however it is often spent in either one of two places, at home or down in Surrey with my Auntie. The usual crowd of relatives gathers which is nice because with being away at university I see them even less than I did before so Im looking forward to it! 

What is your favourite Christmas song?

I think it may have to be Last Christmas, if I had to pick from the classics we hear each year, mainly because I like the video where they all spend Christmas in that ski lodge in the mountains, how cool would that be?! However, I am a big fan of Michael Buble and his Christmas album is the best! Its always on in our household when decorating the tree, well actually its on throughout most of December!

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?  

No! I can wait until the morning! Do people do this?

Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer? 

There is definitely a song to remember this with...

Erm, Comet, Donnor, Vixen, Blitzen, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Rudolph? 

What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year? 

I love buying people gifts, especially when you find something which you know they will love, but my favourite bit is giving it to them and seeing their smile, aww how cheesy! Oh, and not forgetting the Christmas food! That excess of chocolate, turkey and those Boxing Day leftovers! 

Is your Christmas tree real or fake? 

Real! I love the smell and picking the tree is always hilarious as there are often arguments over which tree to buy. We also put up a fake tree in the dining room to keep up the Christmas spirit over dinner.

What is your all time favourite holiday food/ sweet treat?

Hmm, a tradition in our house is to have Turkish Delight on side for helpings, and this is the only time of year its in our house! Im also a fan of cheese at Christmas, which may sound odd, but we always have a wide selection of cheese in stock for the Christmas day cheeseboard. Yum!

Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better? 

As I mentioned earlier, it has to be giving. I love seeing that smile on peoples faces!

What is the best Christmas gift you've ever received? 

I think as a kid, it has to be the Nintendo DS, that very first edition! I remember looking at them in a shop a month or so before and being fascinated with the game Nintendogs, and as a big lover of dogs I thought as I don't have a dog, this game may the closest I will ever get! Luckily a couple of years later we visited my mums friend, who owned a Norfolk Terrier who had just had puppies, it was literally love at first sight, and Tilly came home with us a few weeks later. 

What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season? 

Somewhere snowy so I can experience that 'White Christmas', maybe Canada? Another obvious choice would be New York, ice skating in Central Park, Christmas shopping in Bloomingdales, New Year in Times Square! That is something for my bucket list.

Are you a pro present wrapper or do you fail miserably? 

I would like to think my present wrapping is not too shabby, but I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to things like that. I can do that clever trick though of not cutting the wrapping paper but slicing it in one smooth motion. 

Most memorable holiday moment? 

Hmm this is a hard question, as Ive experienced a fair few Christmases now! I think dressing up as Rudolph and Santa with my brother and decorating the tree when we were little, and probably not doing a great job! Also when my cousin was born on December 3rd and her arriving at the house still so tiny, dressed in a Rudolph baby grow, adorable!

What made you realise the truth about Santa? 

I think I began to work it out when I noticed the writing on the labels on presents addressed from Santa was very similar to the handwriting of mum and dad... Although I didn't want to admit he wasn't real just in case he was, plus I wanted to keep it alive for my younger brother.

Do you make New Resolutions? Do you stick to them? 

Yes, I try to make resolutions, this year is to take advantage of the opportunities that come my way and try not to let them pass me by. Do I stick to them, well I think in the first month I will try, as everyone does, new year, new me thing, but I'm sure as time goes on I might forget... But I am really going to try this year!

What makes the holidays special for you? 

I think the whole Christmas spirit, and the attitude of 'c'mon its Christmas'. I think that people become more optimistic, and generally happier, despite those who hate this time of year. The whole idea of being brought together, whether it be friends or family is great fun, and its always nice to treat people who are great to you all year round!