A Very British Summer

Well after the silence of the last few months, and after the slightly downhearted note of the past few posts, I thought it was time for an update. Although I've mostly been at work this holiday, the best part so far was going to visit Sabrina in deepest darkest Wales, or Haverfordwest as she calls it. 
Elliott and I drove up to Wales on our road trip to visit her, crossing the Severn Bridge (I thought we were flying), after spotting sheep and listening to the Vaccines too many times we made it there, and although we weren't there for long it was an awesome few days. My highlights were definitely getting caught by a giant wave while we were paddling at Newgale, eating Fish & Chips in St Davids, drinking lots of wine, watching endless ghosts programmes and Sabrina's Antipasti. We were well classy :)

This little holiday just reminded me how excited I was to move into our house at uni, so I never thought I would say this but roll on September! 

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

In Loving Memory of David Rist

We shall miss you round the table, in the place you always fill,

When the laughter rings the loudest, we shall think about you still. 

You'll be in our conversation, though you are not taking part, 

Your name upon our lips and thoughts of you within our heart. 

And when we talk about old times and memories recall, 

That will be the moment when we miss you most of all. 

29th March 1930-27th June 2015

You will be greatly missed. 

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

It's see you later, not goodbye

Now I know I haven't written in a while, and I really have no excuse. Since leaving university for the summer I have basically been working 24/7 in order to save money for my trip to South Africa which is meant to take place a week today, however, after this weekend it is probable I won't be going just yet.

This year has not been the easiest year for my family what with my Dad's accident so to have him on the mend is great. This past weekend we headed up to Norwich to visit my Dad's family for my grandma's late 80th birthday. Norwich is about 4 hours away from where I live so we don't get to see my grandparents here as much as possible, maybe about twice a year, along with my aunt and cousins who also live in Norwich. Also there this weekend were my cousins, aunt and uncle from New Zealand were here, this kind of family gathering happens maybe once every 5 years or so. Everyone was there, we had photos and lunch at the local country hotel before heading back to my grandparents' house about 5 minutes away. Whiling away the afternoon in the sunshine was lovely while the children were playing games and the adults were chatting. 

It really was a beautiful day.

Just after dinner something happened, something that in my 20 years of being alive has never happened to me before, my Grandad who was 85 years old, quietly passed away. Although like any elderly person of 85, he was on many medications, he had diabetes and various health problems, yesterday, he seemed healthy and happy. The paramedics came and tried to revive him but it wasn't any use, he had the best day surrounded by his family, and although I don't know if you can choose your death, I'm pretty sure if Grandad David could, that would have been the perfect time for him. 

It was such a heart-breaking moment, my dad and his younger sister and younger brother, along with my Grandma losing their dad/husband. I've never had a death this personal, so close to me, I've been very lucky in that respect. Nothing could have prepared me for it though, it feels like I am stuck in a bad dream and just can't wake up. Now all the talk of coroners, post-mortems and undertakers seems to be so surreal and it's all happening so fast. 

This year has probably been the toughest year for my dad especially, having a traumatic brain injury to recover from and now losing his dad. 
Death affects us in different ways, and although Grandad David's death couldn't be more perfect if it had to happen, the aftermath, this limbo that it has left us all in is something that no one can really explain. There is so much admin and paperwork that must be done, yet in all this, we cannot forget that he is now at peace. I know this is a very personal moment for my family, and some people may criticise me for writing this so publicly, but I say, everyone grieves in different ways and to share how I'm feeling will comfort me in the knowledge I can start to make sense of what happened this weekend.

Anyway, it's not goodbye Grandad David, it's see you later. Rest in Peace. Forever and Always.

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

End of First Year

I know this post it a little late as exams finished two weeks ago but I thought its better late than never.

So exams have finished, the partying has begun along with the endless Netflix marathons and days that seem to drag on with deciding what to do. The luxury of doing nothing wears off pretty quickly, but I'm not going to complain anything beats revision.
Reflecting on the end of first year is strangely overwhelming, I can't believe how fast this year has gone. It seems only yesterday that I was getting on a plane to go travelling for my gap year. It's crazy that this time last year the people that I now count as my extended family and best friends I didn't even know to exist. First year was brilliant, and although second year is going to get harder, I am already looking forward to it knowing I am going to spend it with some of the most amazing people at such a great place.

On Tuesday I had afternoon tea and cake with these lovely people at a fancy hotel in Windsor overlooking the castle. It was beautiful but hilarious as we all came underdressed and of course, clumsy me managed to spill tea all down myself - I don't expect to be allowed back anytime soon! We followed this with some shopping and a well-needed cheeky Nandos - we couldn't walk past it and not go in.

 Although this party was last term, the picture says it all, the flat parties have been awesome and hopefully, we can top it all tomorrow night!

Note to self: Never leave the lads unattended with my phone in Nandos - Mad Max: Fury Road was a pretty good film though I have to say, not something I would normally see but on the boy's recommendation I would give it a solid 8/10.

One of the many number of midnight trips to M&S and Budgens led to the discovery of the Shaq drinks - hoping for some magical powers from drinking them, Sina and Matt were optimistic, but really they just tasted like water and cream soda.

We were all about that colouring lifestyle for a while, so much enjoyment was achieved from a colouring book, and it made a good revision distraction too.

...And there was lots of yummy food...

...And very drunk selfies...

...Hungover dates to London to feed our sushi obsession...

...And people just being general creepers...

...Terrifying faces were pulled...

...who knew so much happiness could be gained from a giant box in the kitchen...

...And my car found a twin.

This place has been so much more than just university, it has become a home, making it all the more painful to leave and say goodbye to everyone for four months. 

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Kate xxx

These are a few of my favourite things...

Now a little while ago I wrote a post about me and I included a few things that I enjoy but being inspired by The Sound of Music, apparently my favourite film as a child, I wanted to share a few of my favourite things that always cause me to smile, I'm sure there is more but here is a short selection.

• Being a sappy child: anything that anyone does that shows they've made an effort to think about me makes me so happy. My flatmates made me a beautiful book for my birthday about all the times we've had here so far, it was so perfect.
• Singing: any kind of sing-song, whether in tune or not is brilliant. Songs, to me, are a sign of pure happiness, and that you are comfortable enough to sing in front of me means we must be really great friends. 
• Laughing: and I don't just mean a little chuckle or giggle (although that is good too) I love the pure uncensored spontaneous laugh that just echoes around the room with joy and happiness. The stranger, high pitched, squeaky, mad sounds you make the better.
• Hand-written notes: Again this is the personal touch, the effort that someone has gone to write to me means so much.
• The freedom of travelling: Going somewhere new and exciting has to be one of the best parts of life, having the opportunity to just get on a plane and be somewhere completely different and it still being the same day it totally amazing.
• Flowers: Everyone knows girls love flowers, but I really really love flowers, the beauty of something so temporary is really fascinating, plus I like the pretty colours ;)
• Friends: the TV show and my actual friends, there aren't enough words to describe how I feel about both.
• Sarcasm: one of the lowest forms of wit apparently, but I think it is one of the cleverest forms of humour, if you can take the sarcasm and give it out we will get along well.
• Tea: I can't remember what my record it but I think it is close to 10 in a day, I think I may be addicted to tea but there's nothing better than a good cuppa at the end, middle or beginning of the day.
• Driving: I've mentioned this one before but I gotta say it again because I love driving, a nice day, some great tunes and an open road, sounds cliched but so much fun.
• Clumsy People: I love clumsy people because then I know I am not alone in the world, constantly injuring myself is an art I seem to have perfected. Clumsy people are generally brilliant to laugh with as they have had to learn to laugh at themselves too much to disguise that falling over did actually hurt more than you are letting on. 
• Surprises: So I had a surprise birthday party for my 18th and I am such a control freak that it scared me, but since then I have learnt to love them. And for me, I really love planning surprises for other people.

Have a good week my loves!

Lots of Love, Katee xxx