Reading, watching, listening...

I've just finished reading Tim Butcher's Blood River which records his journeys through the Congo overland and by boat on the Congo River, following the river as it meanders through the country in the footsteps of the explorer Stanley. It was an eye-opener with some interesting insights into the Congo and Africa in general with regard to development and the failures the continent has encountered. Although I enjoyed his writing, Butcher's attitude at times irritated me and whilst I understand his expedition was tough, sometimes his negative outlook was too frustrating.

As Christmas has just been, along with it comes a number of movies! The family settled down to watch Wolverine the other evening. Such an incredible movie about the character of Wolverine pre-XMen. I really enjoy it from start to finish! Laura and I just watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, another favourite! The movies, though great, will never quite capture the magic of the books for me. I enjoy my own imaginations of Hogwarts and co.

The new Snow Patrol CD has been featuring in my life ever since I bought it as a gift for someone! Mumford and Sons always enchant me. Bon Iver's been a resident since we had the snowy icy weather. As Tall As Lions will always be entertaining me, especially since seeing them live. Acrobat is a continuing favourite song by the

Another year over...

Well I've just celebrated a lovely Christmas with my wonderful family. I received some beautiful gifts, each one hand chosen for me and that was obvious. I'm a very blessed girl.
The end of the noughties is upon us... what a decade it has been!
Thinking back to where I was at the turn of 2000, just beginning my time at secondary school. For me, this decade will be a time of Lord of the Rings; Harry Potter; The Beatles; an obsession with the 1960s; a longing to travel by VW campervan around NZ; some lovely family holidays in Scotland and France; exams, exams, exams; realising who my friends are; becoming my own person; taking a gap year and learning more about God; beginning to get the travelling bug, facing my fear of flying to get to Uganda then America; starting my new life in Edinburgh at university; witnessing the start of the 'war on terror'; obsessing over Jane Austen; some very bad fashion faux pas that will hopefully never emerge on facebook; school uniforms; my first trip to London's West End to see Billy Elliot, later to see Hairspray; growing up...
Here's to the next ten years and may they be full of many happy memories also!