What would you choose to take with you if you were stuck on a desert island? BBC Radio 4 has a radio programme broadcast called Desert Island Discs, in which they interview several celebrities from the likes of Tom Hanks to Ed Sheeran to Sandi Toksvig, and they ask them what they would take to a desert island – I want to know what you’d take. During lockdown, I’m sure we’ve all had extra time where we’ve sat and thought what should we do now? And this blog is perhaps a piece of inspiration for you all to fill your time and have a think. So, I want you to think about what you would take if you were stuck on a desert island. If you could only take five things with you, what would they be? If you could be stuck with one person, who would it be? If you could only have one meal on the island, what would you choose? If you could only listen to one song on the island, what would it be? If you could take one book with you, what would you choose? If you could take one personal item with you, what would it be? What would you choose? Lockdown is a hard time for all of us and so as a way to distract yourself, think of some answers! Think, ponder and enjoy! Until next time…

It was announced on Sunday 10th May that whilst our lockdown will not be lifted there are steps in place easing the restrictions from today. Whilst lockdown is becoming a bit boring and repetitive and some can’t wait to have more freedom, the lockdown is still necessary and essential. The lockdown helps slow the spread of the virus meaning those who are vulnerable, and others, are at less of a risk of contracting Covid-19; one group of people who are more vulnerable are those who suffer with the chronic illness of Lupus. May 2020 is the Lupus Awareness month and so this post is all about Lupus, an illness very close to my heart. So, what is Lupus? Lupus is a chronic illness that causes the immune system to attack any part of the body. It is mainly suffered by females and is incurable. What are symptoms of Lupus? The two main symptoms: joint and muscle pain and extreme fatigue (that won’t go away no matter how much you rest) Rashes, depression, anaemia, feverishness, headaches, mouth ulcers and possible hair loss are all symptoms as well. Whilst the two main symptoms are invariably present, symptoms do vary greatly from person to person. What are the four types of Lupus? There are four types of the illness, and these are: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus and Neonatal Lupus. SLE: this is the most common form and it can be mild or severe. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: this form is limited to affecting the skin, and causes rashes and lesions; the two most common types of rashes are the discoid rash (raised, red and scaly) and the butterfly rash (over the cheeks and bridge of nose). Drug-Induced Lupus: this is a lupus-like illness that is caused by certain prescription drugs, and it rarely affects major organs. Neonatal Lupus: this technically isn’t a true form of Lupus; it’s very rare and it is when the antibodies of the mother act upon the infant in the womb. How is Lupus diagnosed? There isn’t a specific test that determines whether or not you have Lupus and the disease is very difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with other diseases such as arthritis and diabetes. However, complete blood tests (CBC), urine tests, antibody tests, complement tests and blood clotting tests as well as family history can all help to making a diagnosis. What is the treatment? As Lupus is incurable, there is no permanent treatment, however, there are medications that can help ease symptoms and dampen the effects of the disease. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, anti-malarials, steroids and immunosuppressants are some of the key medications that are used to help treat Lupus. One of the main drugs taken is the anti-malarial hydroxychloroquine – due to the current circumstances and the speculation around hydroxychloroquine being used to treat the Coronavirus, there is a shortage of the drug; this is worrying for Lupus sufferers as they rely on this to manage the illness. The reason for this blog is because May is Lupus Awareness month and with the worrying and scary situation of the world, I felt it a necessity to inform others of the disease. Some of you may already know a bit about Lupus, others you might not, but at the end of the day this provides you with some knowledge about Lupus and the effect Covid-19 is having on the sufferers. Until next time…

As of today, the lockdown restrictions in the UK have been eased. Schools are reopening for children in reception and Year’s 1 and 6, people are going back to work and shops are reopening. Life is getting back to normal but despite the ease there are still people who are working from home, people who are scared to venture out and there’s students who have finished the academic year (university students and Year 11’s and 13’s). I’m a Year 13 student - or rather I was - and I’ve been trying to fill my time with productive activities like online courses to help me in the future. Some students have probably been a bit bored during lockdown or perhaps lost but one great thing that everyone can enjoy is movies. Unfortunately, cinemas aren’t open yet, but nowadays there is a variety of ways to watch new blockbusters, or binge a franchise - Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney Plus, Sky, Apple TV and more! I have some of these but I also LOVE DVDs so much so that my family and I have over 100 - all of different genres. And one thing I got my family to do during lockdown was fill out a ‘Favourites’ list. So, things like: favourite actors, actresses, movies, series, holiday, animals, etc. We found that trying to decide our favourite movies and actors and actresses was the most difficult. We’ve watched so many different films in our lives that it was hard to choose even just our top five. But I managed to choose my top 5 movies/movie franchises! The Harry Potter franchise is a must have - it’s an all-time classic series. The Fast and Furious franchise is also an absolute favourite for me - I love the cars, the action and the story-lines! Then it started getting difficult. I decided that Tom Cruise is one of my favourite actors and so The Mission Impossible franchise is number 3 on my list. Number 4 has been given to The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and ... ...Number 5 is the Gerard Butler’s trilogy of Olympus, London and Angel has Fallen. So, as we decided our favourites, we chose to start having marathons of each series and so we began with Mission Impossible - we were going to watch Harry Potter but my sister wanted to watch them for back to back for the whole 19 hours and however many minutes! Despite lockdown easing, movies are a fabulous way to pass the time. So, what are your top 5 movies/franchises? Until next time...

Today is June 15th. June 15th means that retail and non-essential shops have reopened as well as some zoos and safari parks, places of worship and secondary schools. Today marks the end of the three-month lockdown as measures are being eased and people’s freedom is growing; whilst there are businesses reopening, in a hope to boost the economy, social distancing is still a MUST. Social distancing might seem like a palaver but it makes people feel safer, and helps reduce the spread of the infamous virus. Normally, if we were currently in a world without Covid-19, 17 & 18-year-olds would be finishing their A-level exams – many would’ve finished today including me! – and high school kids in Year 11 would also be finishing their GCSEs. Unfortunately, for some, exams didn’t go ahead and summer started early, despite restrictions. Today, I would’ve sat my last exam (Biology) and by the end of this week I would’ve been sat by a pool in Torremolinos and whilst I’m obviously a bit disappointed at this, I’m also relieved because hay fever is rife at the moment and I couldn’t sit in exams with a runny nose, streaming eyes and this heat! A holiday would’ve been nice, but instead I get to spend time with my family, cooking dad a luscious meal on Father’s Day and making memories. Lockdown has been a downer for some but I know for me, it has been a blessing in disguise really; I’ve got to spend time with my family that I wouldn’t have done if I were studying, my sister came home from her year abroad early but still completed it. Being stuck in a house, with the same people everyday, for three months has made me appreciate my family more and the little things in life. We spend so much time everyday worrying about materialistic things like fashionable clothing, luxurious holidays abroad and plenty of money but in times like this people realise that the thing that matters most is family. And hopefully during lockdown you’ve experienced great times with the ones you love. Now, shops are reopening, the weather is nice so enjoy your summer…but remember to social distance! Until next time…

Last week with the ever-growing situation of the Coronavirus, the government announced that all schools were closing for the foreseeable future. Along with this, all exams, including A-levels and GCSEs, are not taking place in May and June like they were scheduled. This news evoked mixed feelings in many, emotions of happiness, relief and joy but also sadness, frustration and annoyance. I know I was relieved at the thought of not sitting exams this summer, but I was also disappointed because I had worked hard these past two years. The government have now announced that final grades for A-level and GCSE students will be determined by predicted grades and teacher assessments. For some this is good, others this could be bad! With school closures happening across the country, several children and teenagers had their education abruptly ended, for this academic year, leaving them without a proper goodbye to their friends and teacher, without a final assembly and without a proper ending. Some children are still going to school as their parents are doing essential work during this crisis; others are probably like me – a bit bored and a bit lost. When I had loads of revision and school work to do, I had loads of ideas about what I could do when I had my long summer. But now, I don’t know where to start or what to do even with the extra long summer. This pandemic has caused disruption for all with holidays cancelled, no education, less food available and quarantines. Many are not taking this pandemic seriously. Many are dismissing the idea that it can affect young people – it can, and not just mildly! Everyone needs to do their bit and follow government guidelines, stay two metres from others and isolate indoors. Whilst it is a very difficult time, everyone needs to be with their families, if possible, and stay healthy. Until next time…

With the state of world currently, fear is ever growing with the spread of the Coronavirus and self-isolation is becoming a frequently used term. It sounds scary and potentially boring but I’ve listed some things you can do if you ever have to self-isolate. These activities can preoccupy the mind and also be therapeutic and so here are… …Five Things to Do When Bored in Self-Isolation: 1. Binge watch a TV show 2. Read a new book 3. Colouring 4. Cooking – if it’s for yourself 5. Drawing Until next time...

Hey guys, It’s been a little while since I posted and there’s a reason for that. I recently had my Year 13 mock exams, and have had deadlines for my EPQ, all of which were quite stressful! But I’m back now, and have a small post about motivation. Motivation is such a key aspect in our lives. It drives us forward each day, to achieve our hopes and dreams, but it also keeps us on the straight and narrow. Without it, there would be a lot of chaos in the world. It’s happened to every single one of us where we’ve felt a little bit lost, a little bit confused and maybe a little lazy, and so we don’t achieve any of our goals for the day. This is normal, and it happens but to get back on track we need to continue feeling motivated. I know there’s some days where I feel like giving up with education and studying all the time, but I know that if I want to obtain my dream career I need to work hard. And working hard is rewarding. In order to feel motivated, I always write down a list of things I want to achieve each day, including lunch and dinner 😊, and I tick them off as I complete them. If I do a task that isn’t on the list, I add it and add a tick next to it! It makes you feel better, I promise. Plus, it keeps you organised! Now, that’s my number one tip of feeling motivated and accomplished but there are so many more out there like different quotes, movies and songs! Here are some motivational quotes and songs: Stronger – Kelly Clarkson It’s My Life – Bon Jovi Fight Song – Rachel Platten We Are the Champions – Queen “Don’t stop until you’re proud” “Everyday is a new opportunity to change your life" “Have some fire. Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature” – Grey’s Anatomy “You have one chance, one life. And what you do with that is up to you” – One Tree Hill Until next time...

Today is Shrove Tuesday. The day where people come together and stuff their faces with pancakes; it’s also perfectly acceptable to have a flattened pancake stuck on the ceiling! The name Shrove Tuesday comes from the word shrive meaning absolution for sins by way of confession. It was typically a Christian celebration that precedes Ash Wednesday, where Christians go to confession and admit sins to the priest and then a bell would be rung - the pancake bell! In America it’s called Mardi Gras which literally means Fat Tuesday because we use up all the ‘fatty’ foods before Lent - the time when people nowadays try to be good by giving up some foods - such as eggs, flour, ice cream, and sugar! Eggs, milk and sugar aren’t typically eaten during lent and so people traditionally threw them out of the house to avoid temptation. Whilst the tradition of eating pancakes is quite old, the same goes for the tossing of them: “And every man and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their pancakes up for feare they burne” - Pasquil’s Palin 1619. But with the addition of new foods, the toppings people use on their pancakes vary. Here are some top 5 toppings: Lemon and sugar Chocolate spread Vanilla ice cream Maple syrup Fruits - bananas, blueberries and much more! What are your favourite pancake toppings? Enjoy! Until next time...

She walked into the room, as if she held all the power, and yet nobody knew of her. Her voice echoed through the air; with each word she spoke. All their eyes focused on her, never glancing anywhere else, and their heads moved up and down, in a way of comprehension, but also in fear of the consequences if they didn’t fully understand. Her eyes were the most prominent feature on her face, grabbing your attention as they drew you in. All joy she could feel was concealed by the dark, grey irises, the colour of a late winter sky. Her hair was an opaque ebony, held tightly on the top of her head, with not a single strand out of place. Her narrow shoulders supported her long neck, which was covered by a black choker. She was an unusual woman for this place, with her strong-limbed, tall, and rather slim frame. Other women in the room, quivered under her gaze, whilst the men challenged her stare with their own, standing their ground, as if threatened by her presence. Her hands were clasped in front of her body, pulling the blazer tighter over her breasts. The badge, clipped onto her black trousers, increased the fear in the room. Everyone could see her at the head of the table, feet apart and her head held high. The windows of the room were covered by the blinds, hiding what was happening inside from the rest of the office. “I thank you all for your cooperation within this matter, and hope we can resolve it quickly,” she stated, and then collected all her materials, and swiftly left the room, the sound of her heels resonating throughout the room adding certainty to what has just happened. The people left let out sighs of relief, and their shoulders relaxed. “Thank god that’s over. I thought she’d never leave,” Jason, the chief of this department, cried out after the door was shut. They knew that somebody was coming to question them about what had happened that night, but they thought Mr Jameson would come instead. Mr Jameson was a friend of theirs, and somebody who they trusted to have their backs. This woman though, was somebody completely new, who threw their whole plan into upheaval. She breathed perfection and punishment. Her whole attire was slick and clean – the opposite to what they’re used to. Mr Jameson had been an associate of everyone in the room for some time, and so it had been thought that he would be the one to deliver the news and the next steps. Instead this unfamiliar woman turned up, barking out orders and assuming everyone would follow them obediently. How wrong she was! The matter was a serious one. One that needed to be handled with care, and consideration for not only the people involved, but also for the public. If it was made known nationally, there would be dire consequences, and uproar, which nobody could handle – although the woman thought she could.

In our lives, we all have to sit exams whether it be at school or later in our lives in our jobs. It may be at different times that we sit the exams, but one thing is the same for all of us: they are stressful! I’ve recently sat my Year 13 mock exams and was so stressed out I don’t think I had a proper break from revision until today – the end of my exams! I’ve always got stressed out when it comes to exams and whilst I can do things to calm me down, it doesn’t always work. I always try to de-stress, and my family tell me to de-stress too, and so I listen to music (almost two hours day lol), I watch TV and I write. Now these methods might not work for all you, and instead you may draw, or run or do something else, but I know that de-stressing is so important. When it comes to exams, you must de-stress and take breaks because otherwise you will get to the point where you become too exhausted, or too worn out, to actually study, which then means that you’ll become even more stressed out because you’ll feel like you haven’t revised a lot and therefore don’t know anything – but you’ll be wrong. Unfortunately, this is a short post (sorry guys!) but it has an important message: ‘It’s important, in life, to take breaks and de-stress and make time for yourself’ And so, I hope you all take moments of tranquility in the future. Until next time…

The first month of 2020 is over, officially meaning that the new decade has begun. I made a note of some of my firsts for this year, and thought it'd be most appropriate to share at the end of January. Here we go: First TV Show Watched: One Tree Hill First Song Played: Into the Unknown (Panic at the Disco) First Song Heard: Friends (Anne-Marie) First Male Artist That I Played: Sam Perry First Female Artist That I Played: Ava Max First Movie Watched: Hobbs and Shaw First Book I Read: The Great Gatsby First Game Played: Harry Potter Dobble First Person I Spoke To: My mum First Person I Saw (not who I live with): My grandparents First Drink: Baileys First Dinner: Southern Fried Chicken and Chips These are all the firsts of my year. What are yours? Until next time ...

Dear Kobe... It’s sad when someone leaves this earth, That the person has so much worth, It feels like a shock, a crack in our hearts, Don’t know what to feel, so many parts, Sadness, anger, grief all combined, Feeling like it wasn’t their time. Sunday morning saw the loss of a legend, A basketball player who was destined, For success and greatness, Add his talent and he was made famous, Playing his career at the LA Lakers, Bryant became a record breaker. 1996 NBA first round pick, Drafters saw his name, filled boxes with ticks, Many awards he had won, A true star player he had become, Straight out of high school, 6 foot 6, Thrashing other teams with his basketball tricks. 5 championships, finals MVP twice, 18 times All Star, reaching new heights, 2006 saw 81 points against the Raptors, Creating new career bound chapters, Slam dunk contest champion, never been beat, Not only a legend but a fantastic athlete. Today we mourn the loss of a star, One of the greatest players by far, Not only lost was he but his daughter too, Gianna a new talent, promising future that she grew, She was taken too early, much like her dad, The loss of them both will forever be sad. Loss is a part of every day life, But when it’s someone famous, it hits us like a knife, Everyone knew them, had heard their names, Even if it isn’t personal we feel a pain, We relate it to our loved ones, we hold so dear, As death is thing that many fear. People die all the time, Livings an unavoidable crime, Lives taken from us every day, Tears fall, fingers wash them away, Kobe Bryant is another soul lost, But one we’ll treasure, a legend never tossed, His memory will thrive, never erased, His name mentioned in prayers and grace, His daughter will be remembered for the young girl she was, Her talents, like her dads, deserves applause, They both died among other people, Who couldn’t overcome life’s steep hill. Forever remembered and forever treasured, Dear Kobe Bryant, Your memory will always be heard. Goodbye Kobe.