My F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Have you ever had one of those conversations with you friends? 

"Which one are you out of Friends?!" 

... and then what follows is usually where you have to tell people what they want to hear. 

Anyway, so I was thinking about how my sisters boyfriend, Humphrey, reminds me of Chandler... so much so that I saved him into my phone as Mr. Bing. I've been saying it for ages so when I just sat here watching friends with my dog I suddenly noticed my sister is just like Monica... Not the oh yeah they both have dark hair and are pretty but I mean they are Monica and Chandler. 

It's weird!!! They share so many characteristics!

Now, if you've been reading my blog so far... you will probably realise that you're going on a bit of a journey as I am constantly jumping around topics. Please try and keep with me!

I found out something fascinating recently when getting through some history work. I was researching Medieval tournaments and trying to determine if they were used as a method to prepare for battle or simply a social display. I stumbled across this little gem (although I am struggling to find the book I found it in!!!) that it was important for Knights to train together so they were prepared for battle. They would help to practice jumping on a horse which I was surprised to find out stems down to this day when children in P.E. classes have to jump over the wooden vaulting horse. How crazy is that?!

Remember these?!

Distractions

I'm sitting here trying to get some work done so I can spend tomorrow morning with my sister before she swans off to a wedding... 

HOWEVER

have I got it... much... any of it done?!

errr....

I've just been googling Game of Thrones... and then I decided I wish I had dragons. 

I mean how kick ass is that?! 

Then I realised, I can't give a picture of Daenerys into my tutor as part of my dissertation... can I?

Can I?!

 The thing is, I love history!!! It's just when I have a deadline, it's like I can't stand reading any related topic. It is like I am a commitment phobe... but to essays. Thats right. 

I am the Hugh Grant of essays. 

All over the place

I would love to start off by apologising to my avid readers for being away for so long but let's face it... that will just be my Mumma! I've actually really been working and getting through so many essays for university. It is third year after all! I'm sure there are so many other people in my position... we will get there eventually! Just imagine, we aren't far away from paying lots for a gown and throwing our hats in the air. I'm so scared, I'm going to be a proper grown up soon.

This week:

I have been up to much mischief this week! I went shopping with my beautiful mother on Friday to get some clothes for work... this is actually very fun as I work in Topshop. However, at 5'9/5'10 I only like to buy from the Tall section so had to go into town. I bought this little number...

I had many a compliment on it from my lovely friends. The back has the most beautiful detail and with your hair worn to the side or in a trendy up do, you can show it off to the maximum. It also does come in well at the waist meaning it's great for an hourglass figure. 

I had so much fun at the weekend. I was invited to an absolutely divine meal cooked from my 'jack of all trades' friend, Gemma. You will most likely know her from her blog www.fromgemwithlove.com Let me tell you... that girl can cook. 

I have set so many tasks for myself this year and if I can say that they have all been achieved by Christmas then I will be one happy chappy. One of them is to learn to drive. I started in 2007 and due to starting university and life in general I haven't got round to taking another test. I don't think I will ever be ladylike enough to carry of the bicycle a la Audrey Hepburn either. Woe is me.

Writing about Miss Hepburn... what an elegant and beautiful person. I would love to emulate her style. 

Anyway, I have gone off on such a tangent...

I am currently writing an essay on the use of feature film and documentary for propaganda during the 'people's war'. I'm just delving into this period because I've been in the Medieval ages for ages and this is the only modern module I have. In fact, whilst I am writing this I am watching 'Britain's Great War' with Jeremy Paxman. It is fascinating. It just makes the mind boggle that these events took place in the last century.

I read such an incredible book the other day. 'The Nazi Officer's Wife', the true story of Edith Hahn's journey throughout the Second World War. Give this a read and you will not regret it. Frauline Hahn's story is one of courage and bravery in the face of danger and prejudice. I feel that it is so important to keep these stories in the public consciousness so the pain and suffering will never be forgotten.

I am going to get back to my propaganda war time films now as I am getting so distracted.

Lots of love to you if you've taken the time to read my ponderings!

Becca x

Sleep

Oh man... let me tell you... I could sleep all day recently. I am truly having a love affair with my bed.

Stolen from tumblr! credit where credit is due!

Have you ever spent most of your day looking around for suitable places you could possibly curl up and sleep in? I did my shift in Topshop today and I have to say, those onesies looked pretty comfortable but I was sure I would have been busted snuggling up to the unicorn hottie body warmers.

My Topshop buddies

On the subject of sleep... do you ever wake up at a stupid hour and relish that amazing feeling when you look at the time and realise you have another few hours of sleep?! Or even stick your foot out of the bed when it is a little too warm? Orr turn over your pillow to the cool side? 

I can be something of a crazy sleeper, if I am brutally honest with myself, and nobody knows that more than my poor, suffering boyfriend, Michael. He had to wake me up in the middle of the night as I was apparently speaking another language whilst fast asleep, I also often do the whole eyes half open thing. Poor Michael. Anyone else have any crazy sleeping habits?

Did you know that there is a mania where you have an obsession with staying in bed all day?! It is called Clinomania. I can imagine that quite a few people are suffering with this with the long Winter nights.

Dissertation

The Wydevilles

I've spent the last couple of days researching for my dissertation. I am enjoying it but every now and then I feel overwhelmed by the amount of things I need to tick off my 'To Do List'. 

I sat in Starbucks yesterday before work and got through so much of Arlene Okerlund's book 'Elizabeth: England's Slandered Queen'. I can hardly put it down. This is a sheer pleasure to read. Okerlund's thorough research and examination of contemporary sources is truly educational and enlightening. I will most certainly be referencing this book in my dissertation, especially due to the attention to detail about the whole Wydeville family. 

This is also a fantastic book to read if you enjoyed reading or watching Philippa Gregory's 'The White Queen'. I know that some history books can be quite a chore to get through but I assure you, this isn't the case here. 

I would also recommend anything by Alison Weir and she has recently released a book on Elizabeth's daughter, Elizabeth of York. This is sure to be a treat! 

I will write in more detail about the history that fascinates me in my future blogs!

Dissertation aside... 

I've spotted something I want for Christmas from The National Portrait Gallery website! It's an Elizabeth I and her court calendar and is currently half price! I love it!!!

My dream calander

Procrastination

... procrast .... ination

I find it is often the case that when you have something really important to do, you will find a million and one other things that suddenly need your utmost attention.
This is how I have found myself here, writing a blog... something I have put off for years. 

I wonder if you can guess why a third year student of a history degree has suddenly become a victim of procrastination?

One word: 

Dissertation

Edvard Munch's 'The Scream' possibly amid assignment deadlines

I am researching the Wydeville family for my topic on Women and Power through the Medieval period. The only problem is that with each new book I read, I find myself getting gripped by a new family member and almost feel myself going off on a tangent. Any tips on beating procrastination and getting down to some serious work?! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Earl Rivers presents his book to Edward IV, Elizabeth Wydeville and Prince Edward

I have also discovered a legend in Anthony Wydeville, Earl Rivers, who is by many accounts the perfect knight, courtier, writer... I had respected him before but with my renewed research into this period I can't help fall a little in love with him!

In other news... 

I was absolutely ecstatic to find out that the third book in the All Souls Trilogy will be released in July 2014.
I became captivated by the first book, 'A Discovery of Witches', whilst living in Nottingham. I have great respect and admiration for Deborah Harkness' commitment to historical research entwined with a fantastic piece of gripping literature. 

This is definitely going to be something that we will be hearing much more about as the film rights have been signed to Warner Brothers. I cannot wait to see who will bring the irresistible Matthew Clairmont to life.

You can follow the author on Twitter here.

I also spent the evening adding pictures of my nearest and dearest's faces into portraits from history. My all time favourite was the one I created of my sister's boyfriend Jake. 

I will have to get this printed.

Point Proven...

... and with that I have gone off on a tangent again and have spent at least ten minutes on twitter! 

Off to bed I must go so I can wake up and work on my dissertation (read: blog).