Natural History Museum

I've visited London many times in the past, either for school trips or casual days out, but my most recent visit was by far the best. This was for one reason; I went to the Natural History Museum. Ever since I was little (such a cliche), I've wanted to visit the museum, and watching the Night at the Museum films (although set in the American museum) made this dream more wanted. So, on 27th May I finally went there, and it was amazing!
I sometimes regret my academic decisions as I was a keen scientist throughout school, but then left to pursue my course in Journalism, but science is still a keen interest of mine, particularly dinosaurs and animals. Walking through the door was an immense experience for me as I was greeted by the skeletal remains of a Diplodocus, aptly named Dippy. Getting so close to this exhibit was surreal. Seeing the other dinosaur skeletons dotted around the main hall was brilliant, but not so much as the Large Mammals exhibit...
It isn't until you see one that you realise how large a Blue Whale actually is, and seeing one surrounded by other life-sized animal replicas below the corresponding skeletons made me realise just that. Hundreds of animals, either replicas or stuffed, fill the museum and make it a very intriguing trip. The stuffed remains of Chi-Chi the panda, who was a part of London Zoo in the 1960's, can be found encased in glass in the cafe, and various other mammals can be found throughout the rooms.
After being overwhelmed by the immensity of the exhibits and finally realising my dream, I then bought a toy penguin and a dinosaur keyring in the museum's gift shop before carrying on my trip to London.
Here's some of the pictures- apologies if they're a bit blurry, I had to rush taking pictures because of the obscene amount of tourists.

 

Emma Watson graduates with an English degree

Photo: @EmWatson/twitter

Emma Watson, best known for her main role in the Harry Potter film series as 'Hermione Granger', graduated from Brown University (not Hogwarts) today with a degree in English Literature. Watson, 24, started the degree in 2009, which incidentally was the same year that she was announced as the highest grossing actress of the decade by Guinness World Record. She posted a photograph of herself in her graduation gown and mortarboard on Twitter earlier today, just before being one of 2,000 other students receiving degrees Sunday from the university.
For many students at university, juggling a social life with studying and exams is tough. But for Emma Watson, juggling her degree with releasing hit films seemed to be taken all in her stride. During the time she was studying the degree, she also worked on the last two installments of the Harry Potter series (Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2) (2010/2011), The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and Noah (2014); in these films she has been one of the main roles and has had lengthy scenes to learn and rehearse before finally filming.
My hat (or mortarboard) comes off to Emma Watson, she is an inspirational person and I very much look forward to her starring in more hit films soon- just after she's finished celebrating.

EuroVision 2014

For me, EuroVision is the show that I tell myself I won't watch because of the UK's constant low scores, but then I find myself watching anyway. This year was no different, and myself, as well as 180 million others across Europe, watched 26 acts sing, dance, whistle and run around in a hamster wheel for their chance to receive 'douze pointe'.
As with many of the past years, the UK's entry didn't do to well, with Molly Smitten-Downes' self written song 'Children Of The Universe' receiving a total of 40 points, from which no other country awarded her with more than 8 points. It really seems that the UK's entries are becoming notorious in the voting stages, as last year's entry Bonnie Tyler only scored 31. Molly's song, although predicted to come in the top five places, was placed at 17th, only two places above last year's entry.
During the semi finals, viewers saw a wide variety of acts, including Ukraine's entry 'Tick-Tock' featuring a man running in a hamster wheel and Poland's raunchy milk maids, both of which made it through to the final. However, one act caused more speculation and interest than any other- Austria's bearded lady, Conchita Wurst.

Austria's winning entry Conchita Wurst. Image: Getty Images

When Conchita first performed her song, 'Rise Like A Phoenix', at the semi finals, many people didn't think she had a chance of winning. But after her spectacular performance at the final, that presumption was soon abolished as the voting began. Conchita received no less than 290 points, many of them being 12 point votes, and stormed ahead to the point that it was calculated that no other country could catch up with still three countries to cast their votes.
Personally, I believe that Conchita won for two reasons: her act being totally different to the others, and her message in the song. There hasn't been a drag/bearded lady act in EuroVision before, so audiences will automatically be more interested in a new take on the EuroVision entry. Secondly, the message being portrayed through the song was to accept the various forms of sexuality and to embrace love no matter what; could this be a retaliation towards Russia's President Putin's views and laws on homosexuality? Who knows, but it's safe to say that Conchita has taken Europe by storm, and I wish her all the luck.
It was evidently clear that there was anger towards Russia from the other countries. The spokeswoman was booed when delivering the country's votes, and countries that had voted for Russia were treated in the same way. Russia's act, the 17 year old Tolmachevy twins, were even booed after their act, obviously making them feel uncomfortable among so many jeering audience members.
Despite the negative reaction to any part Russia played in the competition, this year's EuroVision was definitely one to remember, and it's clear to see audiences are excited for next year's competition, which will be held at a venue in Austria.

KP

Photography

As a part of my college course, I've completed 2 units on photography- 'Photography and Photographic Practice', and 'Location Photography'; the latter being my favourite as I was able to leave the confines of the classroom and explore new places I wouldn't have usually thought worthy of photographing. Anyway, these units were amazing, so I'm sharing a few of my favourite images.

 These were taken for the theme 'Flora and Fauna'

Wild mushroom 1

Wild mushroom 2

Red berries

And these were some images taken around Canterbury- I've tried to replicate various eras.

River Stour- early 19th Century replica

River Stour- Black and White

70's replica

Bucket list

So, to tell you more about me outside of the Blogger profile sections - music, films etc.- I thought I'd post my bucket list. I don't have a time scale for which to do these things, only obviously before I 'kick the bucket', so many of them will seem far fetched.

• Go to university
• Get a car
• Visit America
• Visit Australia
• Own my own house with a garden in the suburbs
• Get a tattoo
• Work for the BBC
• Meet a member of my favourite bands
• Crowd surf

That's it so far, no doubt I'll be adding more things on faster than I cross them off!

KP

Hello there

Welcome to my blog.
I'm Kirsty, age 18, from Kent. I'll be going to university in September to study Journalism, and I'll be attending Kent University. It's safe to say I'm excited, and I'm extremely determine to make it happen.

Anyway, I'm interested in a whole spectrum of things, and I'm always searching for new things to try. As I'm writing this, I'm looking into taking up table tennis again after 5 years, but another day I'll be dancing around my house to rock music. This blog will be all about the things I get up to, and I hope you'll be as interested as I am.

So, follow me on my journey through ending college and starting uni, and everything in between!

KP