I'm Back! I Promise!... Again.

Now, hear me out. I know there have already been numerous posts where I have grovelled for forgiveness and promised that I will, once again, become a dedicated blogger. I've asked you to ignore the cobwebs, the dust balls and the groan of protest that can almost be heard as my page reluctantly loads after months of sleeping. 

This is another one of those posts. 

But this time I really really want to revive it. But I'm not going to promise that I will blog on a regular basis because I've been there before and, let's be honest, I'm not the most reliable of people. But I promise I will try!

I confess, I thought about giving up LadyMegg and I even came close to deleting her. My 'drafts' can testify to how many times I sat and tried to write a blog post, but in the end they all became the modern versions of crumpled pieces of paper thrown at the bin. They're still sat there, you know. Waiting. But none of them felt right or were not quite up to a standard that I felt could actually be published on the world wide web.  And, ultimately, I got into a bit of a slump and kept telling myself that noone wants to read my ramblings anyway. 

But I think I lost sight of why I started my blog. 

When I signed up to Blogger.com, I wondered what type of blog I should start -

I wear makeup but not so much that I could be a beauty blog. 

My fashion sense is whack, so that was out of the question. 

I don't watch enough films to be able to do a film review type'y blog. 

I adore reading but go months without reading a single book so ... nope. 

And so I came up with my 'me' blog. 

Here would be reviews, ramblings, thoughts, clothes.. whatever I wanted. Because this blog was going to be for me. I appreciate and love every single one of you who have decided to follow me (especially those who have commented because that is the best thing in the world) but this is really my little online space for my brain overflow and so I'm going to try and get back to that and actually post again. 

Hurrah! 

So, just a quick update on my life at the moment 

•  I've finished my second year of university. I can't say it was easy but it was a good year. It's given me a lot to focus on and a little bit of a wake up call. Next stop: Placement. More on this in a later post (see! There will be more. It's already planned. Stay tuned) 

• I have a very exciting couple of weeks coming up. I'm seeing Bette Midler next Saturday and then flying straight to Norway to see my #1 girl for two weeks. Excited doesn't quite cover it

• I'm still jobless, single and a little bit hopeless. It's reassuring that nothing really changes. What can I say? I'm consistent. 

So there you have it. And to finished, if any of you are still out there and reading this, I want you to know how much I appreciate it. Hullo again, old friend. 

Speak soon. 

M x 

Home is Wherever I'm With You

This week is reading week. 

That means I have a lot of work to do and a week off university to do it in. And that's all well and good, except... I've come home. 

The call of Devon was far too strong and the offer of a free lift meant that I packed my little bag and came back to Devon for the week. I was supposed to be here until Monday... and then I extended it until Wednesday... and now I'm thinking I may stay here until Saturday. The thing is, although I know I should be doing more work than I am (I'm fooling myself that my open Word document is actually being used) but the lure of Devon life is a little too much. 

And so here is my top 3 things that I love about coming home. 

You're welcome, goddammit. 

1. The Calm 

For those of you who don't know, Devon is pretty much one large field. We have farms and we have country roads and we have cows. But you can't deny that it is beautiful. It's a place where nothing really goes on and it had absolutely nothing to offer young people but a terrible bus service, but it's bloody pretty. I never really realise how busy Bournemouth is until I come back home and I don't really think that I need that slow pace of life until I'm back here. It's safe to say I am a country girl through and through and the moment I see that 'Welcome to Devon' sign, I feel myself relaxing. Clique, right? Mhm. 

If you want a takeaway here, you have all of one option. If you want to catch a bus after 5pm, you can't. If you want to go to a club, that will be a 45 minute train ride. But you can go for as many country walks as you want! Hurrah! 

It's a slow life, but who doesn't need to just slow down and breathe sometimes? 

2. The Food 

My mum was never really one to have the cupboards piled high with sweets and goodies, but since I've moved to uni she's started having little treats absolutely everywhere. And it's like she wants me to eat them all. Every day is full of 'oh there's some milky ways in the kitchen' or 'I brought you some crisps' and boy is it delightful. I'm not one who eats 24/7 or anything, but when you're being told there is a kitchen full of everything you like? Yeah, I can get into that! 

Also, evening meals. Now, I love to cook and I do a lot of it in Bournemouth. I do nearly everything from scratch and I do really enjoy it, but there's nothing like home cooking! My mum is a brilliant cook and to have meals made for you which you don't have to pay for is simply heaven. I am fully aware that I am saying the exact same thing as every other student ever, but it is so true! When you're told that the highlight of your year is going to be when you're taken food shopping, you roll your eyes and nod and think that student life isn't really like that. It is, my friends. It really is. But no matter how much you enjoy the food shop, you'll enjoy the home cooking more. 

Delicious. 

3. Of course, the parents. 

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Tis true. 

Both my mum and dad are amazing. I really don't think I have to explain why seeing my 'rents is the best thing in the world. They may nag me that I should be doing work and they may buy the hell out of me by asking if I'm going out every. single. night but you know what? I'll let them off. 

My dad is my partner in snacks. We demolish bags of crisps and watch copious amounts of tv together. It's fantastic. I have to tell him every five seconds to stop jiggling his leg up and down because it drives me crazy and he apologises like it's the first time I've said it. But it's our thing. There is nothing he wouldn't do for me and to me, he keeps the world spinning. 

And of course, I absolutely love my mum. She's an incredible woman and my inspiration (yup, I said it) but we argued a lot when I was living at home. I don't think that's uncommon. Living away has made the time that I spend with my mum that little bit extra special. I feel like I have barely seen her at all this year, what with being away the entire summer, and so being able to come home and just chill around the house is awesome. At the risk of sounding the a complete sap, even making a cup of tea for her is pretty cool. I don't know how much I miss her until I know that I'll be coming home and then I need to see her then and there and it absolutely sucks to have to wait those extra couple of days.

I know this isn't exactly a revolutionary post. I will certainly win no awards for reporting. But that's okay because I'm home and I'm enjoying every second of it.

M x 

I Have Hope.

Wednesday. Ahhh, Wednesday. A day when I can drink copious amounts of tea and coffee, watch back to back episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race and not have a care in the world about my make-up free face. 

Boy, do I love Wednesdays. 

That is until I heard the words "Guys! We have a guest lecturer coming!". 

Now, don't get me wrong. I fully appreciate that very busy people are giving up their time to talk to us and they always turn out to be worthwhile and inspiring, but..... my lie in! My pyjamas!

So there I was, mustering up enthusiasm for a two hour guest lecture on my day off. Three guys are waiting to talk to us and I'm nursing my precious £2.30 Costa coffee.

Go on then, I think. Impress.  

And they really do. 

Over the next two hours, the three of them managed to give me hope that one day, I can be successful. They reaffirmed to public relations is an industry that is ever changing and needs people who can keep up. There is no one 'type' that they need - it really does take all sorts and if you have the determination and the drive, you can do it. 

I can do it. 

Tom Cheesewright, Richard Fogg and Samuel Hall were incredibly engaging and inspiring talkers. As three men, two of which are graduates of the BU PR course, who have achieved so much, we were all extremely privileged to hear their thoughts on the industry and receive some stellar advice. 

The main thing that I took away from all three speakers is that networking is crucial. There is no getting away from the fact that the phrase "it's not what you know, it's who you know" really does have some meaning behind it. If you don't work your ass off at getting to know people and getting yourself out there, you're going to find your job bloody difficult! There is always going to be an element of skill and knowledge, but that's not going to get you anywhere if you don't have the personality to match it. 

They mentioned that there is never any 'stalking' when it comes to PR. You can nag a person, you can like every single one of their tweets, you can interact with them for 6 months. Bug the hell out of them because you're not stalking, you're networking. Ha. They're all going to regret saying that.... 

 

I managed to have a quick chat with Tom after the session and it really hit home that BU provide us with some amazing guest lecturers. He told us a small amount about a couple of jobs he has going on at the moment and all I can say is... wow. The fact Hilary managed to get not one, not two, but three speakers for us that are so inspiring is beyond belief and it makes me so glad that I chose BU as my uni. There is nowhere else that could possibly set us up for a career in PR like BU do.

The #BUPride is strong over here. Can you feel it? 

I'd like to give one more huge 'thanks' to Tom, Sam and Richard for being so generous with their time. For those of you who know me, you may know my love of PR was waning a little and they have completely reignited it.

I can tell you right now, it's a bloody good feeling. 

So yes, my lazy Wednesday plans were shattered but hell, it was worth it. And besides... there's always next week! 

Until next time! 

M x