Charity Hair Cut, the result

So after returning to Bangor Thursday evening and a fantastic night out in Base with some friends I went to the Glamour Room Friday afternoon for my charity haircut.

I so nervous, having never had short hair nor having visited a hairdressers for years. However, the hairdresser totally put me at ease and double checked this was what I definitely wanted to do before cutting 13.5 inches off my ponytail. 

I was so pleased with the result (more so than and cannot thank my hairdresser at the Glamour Room (and Jess and Marcus for coming with me) enough. 

So what do you reckon?

EmJx

The final challenge (kind of)!

So as I hinted in my initial and latest posts, I'm going to be cutting about 10" (25.4cm) off my hair... for charity. As it has been over a year since I last had my hair cut in Canada (thank you Alex!) I thought it was time for a change, especially as I will be going to the Caribbean for four months where it's going to be, well, rather warm to say the least!

Therefore, this Friday I'll be getting my hair cut by the Glamour Room in Bangor, who have kindly agreed to do it free of charge as it's for The Little Princesses Trust, a charity that helps children suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment. Those who know me well will know how much I hate going to the hairdressers (I'd rather go to the dentist, at least you get a sticker!) so although this is not a bungee jump, a marathon or hideously long bike ride, it's still a pretty big thing for me!

Although getting a haircut certainly doesn't require any training (unless I'm late for the appointment in which case I'll run there), I have been deep conditioning my hair every 2 -3 days, piling on the reconstructing serum and avoiding the hair dryer and straighteners as much as possible (it's looking the best it ever has)! The hair that I have cut off will then be used to provide a realistic looking wig for someone aged between 2 and 18 suffering hair loss due to cancer treatment. Just watching some of the videos on The Little Princesses Trust's website highlights how much these wigs mean to these children and how it boosts their confidence tremendously.

I have already managed to raise nearly £50 in sponsorship to help cover the costs of making the wigs (thank you very much to all those who have donated) however if you're feeling generous, and wish to donate to this for this fantastic cause you can do at my Just Giving Page, it would be greatly appreciated.

Before and after pictures to be uploaded once it's done... eeep!
EmJx

Penultimate Challenge, with love!

So for one of the challenges I had to declare my love to someone, not necessarily romantically but just to someone that means a lot to me. I know I've now passed the 21 mark but I'd already half written this and have only really just had the chance to finish it off!

I have been so blessed in my 21 years of life to have made some truly amazing friends, from my sandkastenfreundin (literally sandpit friend) in primary school, my friends I made in highschool that I still keep in touch with, those I have met on my travels and of course my three homeslices, bezzie mates at uni and the OTC girls and boys.

So my challenge was to tell someone how much they meant to me who I hadn't already told and who may not necessarily realise it (although he does because I let it slip that I'd written this blog post before I left to go to Martinique) haha!

So Will Lamping this is for you! 

You never fail to make me smile and in the few days I spent at yours before annual camp I don't think I have ever laughed so much! Despite your best efforts you are definitely in the 'gay-best friend' territory - although I know this is certainly not the case after witnessing your multiple attempts at chasing women (with varying success) and your sheer devastation at being turned down (May Ball dramas anyone?)

You have to be the most hilarious, shameless, ridiculous person I have ever met (who specialises in Animal Reproduction as part of their degree!?) and even when you're taking the mick I can never be mad at you because you're still capable of making me laugh til my stomach hurts. I don't think I've met one single person who doesn't get along with you (apart from Baz, oh dear) and I've even let you meet my family at my 21st Birthday (although it was noted you were on best behaviour, thank you)!!!

I've been so lucky enough to share so many 'special moments' with you. From sitting with you in some darked box in full uniform whilst some hippy sang a song about peace and ending war, to the 'Dizzee Rascal incident' at Radio One's big weekend, to spooning (in separate sleeping bags mind), our 'date' at the new café in Bangor and of course the numerous nights out, you're deffo a true friend Squeak (only a true friend would clean your room and do your washing the day before first year's annual camp... I wasn't doing it two years in a row)!

I know I'm going to miss you like crazy and every time I hear Vanessa Carlton I will think of you (although why you and Pinhead know all the words to that song will always remain a mystery). I have never got off the phone to you without smiling so please, please actually use the internet for something other than porn from time to time so I can Skype you, and I look forward to seeing you again at Lincoln Christmas market!

And maybe after I've written all these nice things about you, you could think of one, just one nice thing to say back!

Love, Em xx

Challenge 21... revisited!

As I'm sure many of you are aware (if not, please read previous posts) I have been in Korea for the majority of the summer vacation and consequently have not had a lot of time in which to complete my challenges. I have currently completed 9 (and a half!) of the 21, and as it is my birthday tomorrow I feel it's time to have a rethink regarding the remaining challenges.

So far I still need to: 

• Tell someone I love them (that I haven’t told before)
• Visit someone you haven’t seen in a long time
• Go hitchhiking
• Pass my driving test
• Read Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen (NB: I have started I'm on page 58 - poor effort I know)!
• Get a tattoo
• Make up with an old friend
• Knit a scarf
• Run 5 miles in less than 45 minutes 
• Paint a canvas
• Learn a new song on my clarinet
• Cut 10 inches off my hair

Before midnight tomorrow. I'm not going to lie to you guys, I don't think it's going to happen! I do however, have exciting news regarding getting my hair cut/additional challenges etc. Will post soon when I get half the chance!

Until then,
EmJx

Auntie Shirley's Wedding ♥

This Saturday the legend that is Auntie Shirley got married. It was a lovely day and great to see my extended family and family friends again, possibly my last chance until I'm back at Christmas! 

She looked absolutely beautiful and all was going well until not content with having already pulled some shameless moves on the dance-floor my Mum decided to pull down the curtains in her hotel room (just kidding, it was an accident really and the concierge couldn't stop laughing at the look of horror on my poor Mum's face)!

As can be expected, we decorated their car with customary 'Just Married' banners and tin-cans (although these were unfortunately removed before they set off) as well as her house including apple-pieing her bed with plenty of confetti! Hopefully they'll both have a fantastic honeymoon :)

Now I'm back home it's time to finish getting prepared for my next adventure to the University of the French Antilles and Guyana, via Bangor, London and Paris! Will update more on this soon...

Don't we scrub up well hey?
Until next time,
EmJx

I had a dream...

Last night, I had a dream. A disturbing dream. I was driving my car through my home-town and every time I used the brakes I could slow down but never stop entirely, no matter how much I pressed them or even if I used the handbrake.

I think this is another sign. I might add it to the list of reasons I have so far not passed my driving test, which currently includes:

1. Leaving my paper counterpart in Wales when I returned to my parents house to take the test near Leeds.

2. The DSA being on strike.

3. It was too icy on the morning of my test so it was cancelled.

4. I was on crutches after messing my knee up.

5. I reversed the wrong way up a street during the only test I have actually ever taken. My bad.

I'm definitely starting to think that someone is trying to tell me something... and seriously thinking I may have to replace challenge no. 9. 'Pass my driving test' with another more realistic task. Especially seeing as even if I do pass my test, I'll be leaving the country (again) in less than three weeks and wouldn't be driving for the next 10 months at least.

Any suggestions anyone? If I've configured my blog correctly, you should be able to comment below without having to sign up :)

Until next time,

EmJx

Coach trip!

So I've gone and done it. I've booked my flights from Paris Orly (it was considerably cheaper to fly from Paris than anywhere in the UK, and by considerably I mean over 70%) to Martinique with a generous 40kg of luggage. Although this then caused a logistical problem. How to get from a UK airport to Paris with 40kg of stuff when most airlines only allow 20kg and charge anything from a tenner plus for each additional kg? £200+ for excess baggage anyone? And no, there really isn't any way I would consider packing less!

So I've booked a place with National Express. For real. Setting off from Bangor (I'm returning to the land of my Father's for a few days before I leave), the coach collects extra passengers from Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Pensarn, Towyn, Rhyl, Prestatyn (and even the Pontins at Prestatyn!) to name but a few, as well as various other UK cities, before changing coaches at London Marble Arch and arriving at Paris CDG 22hours later. Being the snob I am, I am not impressed and slightly hesitant about spending four hours in central London with all my bags given all the recent troubles. But I'll have my Heffs, iPod, plenty reading material and will get there eventually with all my extra luggage. And of course I have this to look forward to...

Ahh I think I'm just turning bitter and cynical in my old age.
It'll all be reet in the end :)

EmJx

Mon 21ème Anniversaire

Ever since I was a little girl, my Auntie and I have always said we'd have a joint 21st and 50th birthday party seeing as our birthdays are only two days (and 29 years!) apart. So last night, over 60 friends and family descended on the Jones' household for an 'oriental' themed party, so chosen because of my recent travels and the fact that I'd already had a Caribbean theme for my leaving Bangor party!

As well as decorating the house and the whole garden with what felt like 101 balloons, lanterns and candles, my friend's Mum made me the most beautiful oriental birthday cake and once it got dark we set off 21 Chinese lanterns which thankfully this time were a success (no chasing burning paper bags over windy Welsh fields this time)!

I was so grateful that so many people made the effort to come from near and far to make my night special. Despite sleeping under the gazebo in the garden (there was not a single room in the house that didn't have at least one person snoring) I had such a fantastic time and only wish I was capable of being in more than one place at once so I could have spoken to everyone for a bit longer.

Thank you so much to everyone that came and helped out in any way with the organising and of course to my parents for letting me take over the house and bearing all the stress involved in organising a party!

I think my Auntie Shirley enjoyed it too!

EmJx

P.S: Please note I still have just over two weeks until my actual birthday (and therefore the same amount of time to complete my challenges)!

A short explanation...

So I've recently had a lot of people telling me they've read my blog and seen the pictures I've uploaded to my facebook account but have no idea what I was doing in Korea or why so I though it's probably time I explain now I have the chance...

I was basically awarded a scholarship along with one other guy from my university in North Wales to represent the UK and study in South Korea for three weeks on a 'Cultural Exchange' programme at Pukyong National University (PKNU) in Busan. The programme involved 31 international students and 35 Korean students (there should have been an equal number as we were all partnered off but unfortunately one of the universities had to drop out). According to the uni's brochure, the programme aimed to "encourage students to extend their diverse cultural understanding as well as develop language skills. Participants can broaden their knowledge by exploring Korean culture through living experience, lectures, visits, and activities with partner students."

AND IT WAS AMAZING!

Before I set off I had no idea what to expect as I'd been away the two weeks prior to flying (without the internet - sob!) and had little time to do any research. I was just so excited to be travelling again, especially seeing as all my flights, accommodation (in the university halls), tuition and activities were paid for!

So, once the programme all kicked off we were treated to Korean language classes, special lectures about the culture (very interesting), history (quite interesting) economy (not as interesting) as well as various different activities, home-stays and field trips, all of which you can read about below (shameless plug aha)! My buddy, Jooyoung Lee was fantastic as were all of the people from all over the world that I met on the course. I have been so fortunate to have had this opportunity and didn't want to leave, but will hopefully be returning in a couple of years as a fully qualified TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) teacher.

Hope this has cleared things up a bit for those who were in the dark!

Until next time,
EmJx

White Rose, White Rose!

Happy Yorkshire Day Folks! Finally getting to spend it in God's own county with a full roast this evening to celebrate... chuffed to little mint balls meeee!

EmJx