A Day In The Life Of Lauren

Saturday, the 28th of January, was my 26th birthday.  I had arranged with some of my college friends, who I hadn't seen for in a while, a small trip to Inverness for some quiet birthday celebrations and a chance for us all to catch up. I should've known from the start that 'quiet birthday celebrations' is definitely not in their vocabulary and on the way down in the car, it was apparent they had several things up their sleeve!  The first part of the day was spent browsing round the shops and waiting on everyone to arrive. As soon as we all got together, we went back to my friend Kayla's house, where we were all to stay over the weekend and got ready for the evening because according to the girls we had a 'strict schedule to stick to!' of which I knew not a thing about. I had packed for every eventuality and had to ask them what kind of occasion it was for - smart/casual/dressy? I was so out of my depth because I am used to knowing what i'm doing from...

Burns Night or *Burns Suppers (*note: a lot different to fish suppers 😉)are one of my favourite nights of the year. Once Christmas is over and the January blues are on us, you can always look forward to the 25th of January to enjoy a little (or large) glass of whisky, a song and a dance. Although Scots don't really need an excuse to enjoy a dram or a good time, it's still nice to have a night designated to it - or two, or three - depending on how well you want to celebrate! Family affair In my home, we often celebrate Burns Night as a family, cooking traditional haggis, neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), regardless of whether we are attending a Burns Supper or not. Haggis, neeps and tatties happens to be one of my favourite meals, and that's not just because I've been brought up eating it. There are other Scottish delicacies I would not thank you for, but this one, I really enjoy.  Popular to contrary belief, a haggis is NOT a bird that has one leg shorte...

For a lot of students in Scotland, January is the month of 'prelims.' These are mock exams which are often undertaken when two thirds of the course has been completed.  I often found prelims to be worse than actual exams because;  1) there is no 'study leave', you still have to go to school as normal. There is no time off like you do for real exams.  2) prelims are ALWAYS known to be much harder than exams. It is basically just a sneaky way of getting students to 'up their game'. If they get their grades back and they haven't done as well as they have might have expected, they are spurred on to work harder for their final exam. 3) Prelims are also just after the Christmas break. Who even made that a rule? So cruel! Studying for prelims over Christmas break shouldn't be 'a thing'.  So I've made up a 'wee' list of advice for those sitting prelims this month. 1.) Be prepared. 'Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.' We a...

The other day my friends and I were contemplating booking flights for a holiday abroad. Although we're unsure of when we're going, planning holidays and looking at flights in general always excites me. Although I am not sure I will be so eager when I actually have to get on the plane! I have an incredible fear of flying and I am probably the worst traveller in the history of mankind. Travelling anywhere,on any mode of transport, even for short periods of time makes my stomach do all sorts of flips and turns. However, if I am prepared with all I need, it can make all the difference. So, I have compiled a list of the things I like to take in my carry on bag during a long haul flight to make it as relaxed and stress free as normal.  Food and Drink Water.  Staying hydrated in general is always good for you but I think it's even more important during long haul flights. Sipping cold water also makes me feel so much better if I begin to feel unwell.  Mints/che...

I love New Year. I love the build up to it and the little traditions that you find yourself undertaking every *Hogmanay (*New Years Eve for anyone who isn't Scottish!) Mum always cleaned the house and changed the bed linen on Hogmanay, which is a tradition we still stick to. It's nice because it symbolises a fresh start and a chance to get rid of the old and welcome in the new. I also have lots of really fond memories of New Year. It is always a time where I remember people coming together. Our family would always sit down and watch some hilarious television and play outrageous board games. We always watched Hogmanay - live from Edinburgh - with traditional Scottish music and bagpipe playing before the canon was lit, marking the New Year. Dad always poured the drinks - whisky for himself and apple juice for us - to make us kids think we were drinking whisky too! After the bells we always had our neightbours and friends round first-footing and we were always excite...