Ding Dong Merrily On A Budget

I know, I know, I haven't updated this blog for over two months now and I'm very, very sorry. Therefore, like a parent who has missed their child's school play, I am now going to ravish you with extra attention and new and more interesting posts to make up for it. Hopefully. I have actually been hoping to write this particular post for about six or seven weeks now, so it is a bit late (and out of season), but I hope you'll excuse that. Anyway, on with the show!

As you can see, today's post is called "Ding dong merrily on a budget" and, basically, the idea behind this has sprung from my desperate need, as a student, to decorate my room for Christmas on an incredibly minimal amount of money. I set this limit for myself at no more than £10 and managed to come in below this amount anyway. So, my first shopping trip took me to (where else?) Tesco; where I spent approximately a fiver(?) on decorations, consisting of:

• Tinsel, 2 (two) - gold, total of 4m
• Stocking, 1 (one) - red and white felt
• Battery powered Christmas lights, 1 (one) string - star-shaped, purple and pink alternating

I was quite happy with the way my looked at this point; I may even have a photo...

Somewhere.

For now, allow me to continue.

This was in the last week or so of November (I thought it best to get in early, although I am usually against this, as I was leaving Uni on 13th December, so wanted the full Christmas season), however, by the beginning of December my friends and I had decided that we wanted to have a Christmas party and, seeing as how my room was the tidiest/I'd done the least hosting all term/I was most open to decoration, my room became the designated party room. This, of course, required more decorations to be purchased. 

With now only £5 left in the budget and most of a room to make festive, we thought we'd have our work cut out (does anyone else think I'm beginning to sound like one of those stupid house makeover programmes?) Anyway, we decided to start thinking outside the box; the regular person, socially acceptable box...

So we spent about £3.50 on wrapping paper and we (Declan and Elena) wrapped the walls of my room.

Yes. That happened. 

See photo if you don't believe me.

Please ignore these people. They're just actors posing as my friends.

So, my plan with this post was to encourage people to get involved in the "Ding dong..." idea wot I came up wiv, but obviously it's a bit late for that. So, please consider it for next (this) year (especially those of you on tight budgets) as a cool Christmassy thing to do.

Hopefully I'll have another post soon. Much love xx

(P.S. Tom, I haven't forgotten about your letter. I have it and am in the process of writing back, but I haven't yet had the chance to send it - sorry!!!)

All That Free Time I Have

So, many a thing has happened in the last few days. Here is a brief round up:

Monday:

• Concert Band

Tuesday:

• Gardening at the church (saw George)
• Went shopping
• Choir rehearsal#1
• Choir rehearsal#2
• Job interview
• Wide Game (wore trousers on my head - why not?)

Wednesday:

• Painted Scout Hut (Annexe, indoors)
• Didn't find the dead badger, left it for Becky and Jess
• Got ready for the ball
• Went to the ball
• Calmed down Jacqueline and Beccy

Thursday:

• Explained to Jacqueline and Beccy what happened Wednesday night
• Choir rehearsal#3
• Hung out with Martha
• Choir concert
• Sung for Wernykins

Friday:

• Went shopping
• Booked Doctor's appointment
• Photos with Becky (around Cuffley)
• Saw "ABBA" - they weren't fantastic, to be honest

Saturday:

• Bike
• Bought some medicine for my eye
• Saxophone
• Went to Charlotte's party

Sunday:

• Went to church
• Wandered around the school fete with my "peeps"
• Got sunburn (yes, I'm so white I burn that easily)
• Went to Leo's concert, which was fabulous by the way (saw Ben, Ashley and George - I think they may be following me)
• Laughed at Ben, Ashley and George's "dancing"

Monday:

• Sorted out things sold on eBay
• Became involved in multiple Scout crises
• Went to the Doctors, nothing is wrong
• Went to Concert Band
• Drinkies with Bernard and the gang 

So, as you see, my enormous amount of free time has been somewhat eaten up; maybe next week will be slightly less manic?

A Couple Of Thoughts

• Students would probably concerntrate better outside at this time of year
• ... Unless they were out by the lake and there were ducks wandering around
• Why does Mr Archer like pizza so much?
• "Manic Panic" is a much better band name than "Jumbo Jumble"
• "Jumbo Jumble" is really difficult to say, even in your head
• Green is a calming colour because it reminds us of springtime and nature and peace
• I have no idea why some people think it's unlucky to wear green, but some think it's lucky
• Why do I wear long sleeves if I spend the entire day rolling them up?
• "Jumbo Jumble" sounds like a kids' game, in which you have to untangle elephants
• Stanley has pen on the back of his neck
• ... And his ear
• People's clothing colour changes based on the weather
• English people are very silly inasmuch as they don't learn other languages
• ^^ This is probably due to the Americans
• How did Actual Advice Mallard become a thing?

Soul Band

My favourite people in the entire world (minus one). Except that several of this year's members (Chris, Harry, Harry, Hugo, Asa, Irene) are missing, so pretend they're there too :)

Another fantastic night last night guys, especially the choreography of the trumpets! I am going to miss you so much next year, but I'm sure you'll be glad to see the back of me (especially Jack, who has to put up with my playing at the closest range!!!)