The sky over Coventry tonight...

This is currently what the sky looks like over Coventry. Lovely!

I walked past the back window and just had to take some photos of it. Rushed to get my camera and snap snap snap in the garden. Makes Coventry look rather beautiful don't ya think?

I am thinking over taking my camera out tomorrow as it is a free day and see what interesting photos I can get.

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope everyone had a great new year!

So once again, a brand spanking new year lies ahead. I have a feeling that this will be one of the most unpredictable years of my life. With not be in uni and having just finished an internship, the world's my oyster. I am free to be whoever I want to be. It's difficult with the way the economy is and such but I'm determined as ever to be successful and be where I want to be in this short life. Not successful money wise but be successful by being proud of myself and what I do. I get much more satisfaction out of doing something I love than having pockets full of money. Like they say, money doesn't buy happiness. Life isn't a rehearsal, you only get one chance so grab it with both hands and run with it.

I'm convinced the future will be bright. Happy 2012 everyone!

...oh yeah and this was our D.I.Y Christmas tree ^^^^^^^^^

Note to self:

Be strong now because things will get better. It might be stormy now but it can't rain forever...

----this is one to remember ^^^^

Remember Me? book cover

This is my version of a book I have just finished reading called "Remember Me?" by Sophie Kinsella. Now I don't normally read such girly books but as I got into it, I couldn't put it down. A real page turner. It was nice to have an easy read for a change and I would definitely read another one for her books.

From the cover of the original book, you can see it would be a girly read so I have tried to tone that down and create a cover that may appeal to a wider audience so that the femininity of the book doesn't hit the viewer right between the eyes. The theme of the book is that a young woman has had an accident and cannot remember the last three years of her life. She doesn't realise she's married and doesn't even know who her husband is. She remembers her friends but they are distant as she gradually finds out that they are all no longer friends. The image suggests the feeling of being alone, not knowing the true extent of her life and having to piece it together by herself. She talks about being lost in the book which is what I wanted the design to show. It is much less feminine which exposes the book to more people. The actual content isn't as girly as the original cover shows so it would be good to have a balance on the front cover also.

Here are some cookies I spent part of my Sunday afternoon making and baking. I'm getting some practice in before Christmas get-togethers! They taste good and they are cute in their size. We added raisins and cinnamon to add extra tasty flavour.

Penguin ebooks

So, a week ago, Penguin ebooks were taken from virtual U.S library shelves. This was because there was a fear of lack of security measures surrounding the ebook system. Ebooks are protected by digital rights management restrictions. Not only is it Penguin having concerns, Simon & Schuster has refused any of their titles to be borrowed as ebooks in American libraries. Hachette Book Group withdrew last year.

Now they are back on the shelves in U.S libraries, however they are not sharing any new titles in the libraries.

I have never agreed with Kindles and ebooks because I have a love for the physical book itself. It's tactile nature is charming and the digital substitute is rather lifeless and mundane.

What does everyone else think?...

Content guide on books

I've recently seen contents guides on a few books. I have mixed views on this. Yes I think it is good idea because if you don't particularly want to read a "tear jerker" style book then you know that it might not be your cup of tea. However, I feel it almost gives some of the story away before you've even started. I would quite like to spot the "friendship" parts or "love" sections myself. Also, the books I have seen these on are more adult reading and a child is not likely to pick it up and understand the book. Therefore, if there was anything that may offend or be of an adult nature, then it's unlikely a child would be exposed to it.

I can see the positive side of the content guide and I guess it might as well be there. It won't put me off picking up books. I do like the quirky icons that they have used to represent the various content categories!

Graduation 21/11/11

On Monday 21st November, I graduated! Finally. It was brilliant in so many ways.

I loved catching up with friends who I hadn't seen since June at our Degree Show. Everyone was on such a high and you could see how proud of themselves everybody was and, of course, their family also. Although it was a dull, foggy, but dry, November day, it didn't dampen anyones spirit.

The ceremony itself was rather nerve racking but once I stood up to queue along the side of the cathedral to collect my degree, I felt calm and collected. I had seen other people go up first so I felt better that I finally knew what to do as we were not very well informed beforehand. Afterwards, the mass photo taking session began. We did the whole cliche of throwing our hats in the air and made sure we got photos with people who are special to me. Now it really is the end of an era.

We went for drinks to the new students union and various other places. We then lined our stomachs with a delicious meal for more drinking afterwards. I slept very well that night!

All in all, the day was amazing and would love to do it all over again. After four years of uni, it was all worth it and I am so glad I was a part of it. I have made some amazing friends whilst at uni and really enjoyed my course (when it was going well and not stressful!) I want to wish everyone the very best of luck for the future and happy days ahead!

Presentation at Coventry Uni

Today, myself and two other Hybrid Arts members, did a presentation about Hybrid Arts.

It was to enable people to volunteer to be a part of Hybrid when they leave university. The talk was presented to third year creative students varying from Graphic Design, Fine Art, Fashion, Illustration, Animation etc.

It went well and I think the students remained focused throughout. We had a short snappy promotional video that we showed at the beginning to engage them and we heard a bit of laughter and lots of smiles so that boosted our confidence in the students wanting to know more. We talked for around 20 mins about what Hybrid does, what kind of people we would like to volunteer and how it will look good on their CVs.

How I need to be thinking...

May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future.
Author Unknown

The minute you alter your perception of yourself and your future, both you and your future begin to change.
Marilee Zdenek

The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
Alan Kay

Quotes taken from www.positivequotes.org