I don't care, I love it.

It is possible that I have the best friends in the world.

Very possible.

They're so encouraging. I actually went to bed last night thinking 'how is it that I have such good friends in my life?' Last night was also the night before my economics final (I had it this morning, it wasn't great, wasn't horrific, so we'll see come results). I could so easily have tossed and turned, not being able to get to sleep panicking about what's on the paper AHI'MTOTESGONNAFAIL but I didn't, due to my friends being the most encouraging people (& God's Word too, reading the Bible helps)

And this isn't about being boastful, its about acknowledging my blessing. I am SO thankful for the people around me.

It makes me a bit sad that I'm not always around them, living in a different country and all that, but technology makes the world so much smaller. I realise it is only 400 miles, but its still a distance and its tough at times, but texts, facebook, instagram, twitter, oh boy you make life that bit nicer.

But you didn't have to go so far

You may have noticed in my profile description that it says I just want to see the world. Well, I do. So recently I've been looking up ways to do this without spending a fortune, which as a student I do not have. So here's four websites that have caught my fancy recently. I'm not saying that I'll use these and I've not used them yet, however, they provide a more feasible way of travelling. So here goes, kind of a note to self.

Websites for travelling on a low (student) budget:

1. Workaway
This website lets you search by country for hosts to stay with who require you to do a bit of work in exchange for board (sometimes food too). The opportunities range from babysitting to farming to painting, for example. There's loads of choices and I like how there are reviews left on the hosts and by the hosts, so you get further insight into the experience by those who've actually experienced it.
It was also reviewed on The Guardian's website.

2. House Carers
This is house sitting, on a global scale. Most houses have pets to look after though, so if you're not the most animal loving person, this probably isn't ideal. However, the lengths of stay range from a few days, to six months plus so if you want to travel, work and truly get to know a place like the locals, I would think this would be great.

3. Airbnb

I LOVE this site, you can create wishlists and I currently have 10. These do cost money though, not time, HOWEVER you can find some really cheap places to stay which look amazing. There's also reviews on many of the rooms/flats/houses/villas so you can get a better idea of what its like (I realise photos can be deceiving). In addition, because you can rent a whole house or flat its ideal for travelling with friends. Be aware though, some places charge extra per additional person after a certain number, so just make sure you read through properly. There's also etiquette associated with this site, but maybe I'll do a post about that later.

4. Staydu

Very similar to Workaway, however has additional options of staying for free, staying by working or paying to stay, which is cool . On cold Edinburgh days when I was in the library last November writing essays this website got me through, just imagining the things I could do and the places I could see in the world.

So have a browse, be inspired, let me know if you know of any other sites similar or different, yet appropriate still for the poor student with a desire to see the world.

summer IS on its way

 It has been a while since I've posted. I've been away at my church's womens conference (hence fancy nails done by tutorial on February Girl, its called Colour and its incredible. We were at Wembley Arena for 3 days and it was seriously the best ever. I wish I had good photos, but the lights and everything were too much for my poor phone camera, but if you're interested have a look online.

 Its been quite sunny recently which meant walks by the Thames and salad! This was my lunch today, so yummy.

 This chap didn't mind me taking his photo, I was literally 60cm away from him. And those feathers; gorgeous!

Been ill for nearly a month now, so only been going to the gym every now and then, but have been going on strolls to this place every day I am able (yesterday I slept nearly the whole day).

p.s. New shoes :) from Aldo, the shoe shop I never fail to find shoes in.

p.p.s. That's Hampton Court Palace in the background.

a day *or two* of life

 My day in pictures, well kind of 2 days in pictures. Breakfast yesterday was this American beauty of pancakes (well crepes, which are more French, but whatever) with maple syrup and crispy bacon! Delicious! I'd always though this was a bit weird, but we had bacon, pancake mix left from the weekend and maple syrup in so it had to be done and it was incredible (get it, edible ;])

So as not to be completely unhealthy, my mid morning revision break snack was grapes. I always count them out into mugs when I'm at uni, but at home we have glasses so I thought I'd be slightly classier (definitely wasn't to do with the fact that all the mugs were in the dishwasher). Pretty, hey?

 My Mum and I went shopping in the mid-late afternoon for some new shoes to go with the outfit I am wearing in the picture further down. We always walk past Paul, but never buy anything, but I've been ill so I think my Mum felt bad for me and bought me the most fabulous macaroon. I hope  heaven has macaroons.

Just look at that! It was a vanilla one, with vanilla cream. You can see my management science notes in the background *such fun.* I couldn't eat the whole thing yesterday as they're massive (which they really should be considering the expense) so this was my revision break snack today. 

This is the outfit I am searching for shoes for. I did buy a pair of shoes yesterday, but they don't go with this, they're more jean shoes. SO if you have any suggestions, link them to me in comments, I'd really appreciate it.

In the evening I went round to one of my friend's house for dinner, she has this AMAZING toaster oven, something which I've never seen before. We were making coffee and walnut cake (with a few sneaky pecans) so we popped them in the toaster. She's only ever seen them in Malaysia, so I guess I need to make a trip there. Have you seen them anywhere else?

 Here is our finished product! It is delicious! I have a lot left, so my connect group will hopefully enjoy this tonight (bar the one guy who's allergic to nuts...woops)

Outfit: T-shirt, H&M; Skirt, Next

I ain't got the time, so why don't you hurry up

It's been so long since I was last ill that now I've succumbed to whatever bacteria or bits that taken over my system I don't know what to do. I've been in Surrey Uni's library for the last 5+ hours, which I now feel was a poor decision. Sitting in a relatively quiet area, coughing my lungs out was not helpful to anybody's studying. So I'm now in Starbucks soothing my throat with a caramel macchiato, feeling sorry for myself, waiting for my lift home.

I need to get better sharpish, got far too much to do.

And I was like baby, baby, baby, ohhh

 I'm finally back in Surrey. I flew back in the early evening so had these fantastic views above the clouds. Seeing the sunset when you're in the sky is just marvelous.

I had a baby shower the next day and so I made a cake, this was supposed to be an apple upside down cake..it didn't look as pretty as the recipe photo did, but it tasted AMAZING! I made a caramel sauce with it too, which just added that extra somethin' somethin'. 

Here's the recipe

 The table was lovely. I love baby showers, they're just so joyful.

Here's a nappy cake, a bit of a tradition in my church family. Its made entirely of nappies (diapers, if you're American) and inside there's all bits & bobs, such as bottles, dummies etc. Pretty cute, hey? We're yet to find out if the baby is a girl or boy, hence the very neutral colours.

 These cupcakes were INCREDIBLE. 

More of my weekend to come later. I now have to eat my dinner and head off into London for a leadership meeting. If your lucky I might get a few photos as its in Westminster & Parliament at night is always a nice view.

I will wait, I will wait for you

Apologies for lack of posts. I have arrived home and I'm loving it. Super busy even after only being here 28 hours. I've taken pictures though so will fill you in when there's time.

It's been fun.