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A Week In The Life

Do you remember back in the olden days when I used to write a post at the weekend called 'This Week...' and I'd show off some photos of whatever I'd got up to? (Shameless plug: Read them here!) Well, I thought I'd kind of revive the same format, but film a video instead! (So you can see how much of a boring life I really lead.)

It's not technically a weekly vlog, because I don't really want to bore you by talking self-consciously and awkwardly to my camera. Anyway, here's what I got up to last week:


(LOOK OUT FOR: Mr. Potato Head! And the duck that pooed itself because I'm too scary.)

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©Katiewrites.co.uk
If you read my post about 'Getting Fit', you'll know that I recently signed up to the Race for Life 10k. It's in less than two months now and I'm pretty sure that I only signed up in a momentary lapse of sanity, but it's fine, because I'm doing it now. I'll be okay, right? It's not like I'm going to die walking/jogging (but let's face it, mainly walking) for 6.2 miles, is it? Ha.

This weekend, I received my racing pack. Complete with: my racing number, some temporary tattoos, fundraising advice, and a thing to pin to my back so that I can dedicate the race to someone close to me. I'm pretty sure that's going to be my Popeye. (He was my maternal grandad, but we all called him Popeye because he was in the Navy.) He died of cancer in 1998, when I was six years old, so that horrid disease took him from us far too soon.

My racing number is 400! Is it weird that I like the fact I've not just got an even number, but a lovely round number like that? I'm so odd sometimes.

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©Katiewrites.co.uk
Aside from 'Getting Fit', I've done some baking. Firstly a chocolate cake from a packet mix, so even I found that hard to mess up! I did attempt to make shortbread too, for the first time ever. Let's just say, it was a bit... 'floury'. Before anyone comments and slates me for being greedy, I only had one small slice of the cake and part of one shortbread biscuit! The rest was eaten by my family. So, I'm being totally healthy... Honest.* 
*(Except for the McDonald's on Thursday...)
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Derby Train Station
This week I also went to visit my friend, Laura-May, in Leicester. If you read my post about New Look Sale Bargains, you'll know that I took a picture of the beautiful fields whilst I was sat on the train. I always like to stare out of the windows, dreaming away and gawping at the scenery, as opposed to listening to music. I'm quite nosy and you never know what you'll find out from earwigging conversations. For instance: the woman in front of me on the train was on the phone, and she said she really liked Flamin' Hot Monster Munch. Would I have heard that gem if I'd been blasting music out? Nope.

Before shopping at Highcross, we went to this lovely little cafe that was tucked away onto a side street, and although the name eludes me now, it was really lovely! They even had this cool machine that makes fresh orange juice right in front of you. I would've taken lots of photos and maybe even written about the cafe in more detail had I not have been too busy nattering away. Whoops.

Back on the train, I had to be that person. I had a seat reservation, but some pesky thief stole it from under my nose. Most people would just leave it and find another seat, right? But not me. I'm a meanie and threw this man out of my seat. Politely, mind. I felt really bad because he had two massive backpacks, a Macbook out and loads of other stuff strewn across the area... He must've been sat there since London. But, the train was busy and I would've struggled to get a seat elsewhere... So, although I was that person, if he'd have looked when he plonked his bum down, he'd have known he was going to be turfed out at Leicester by a little pedantic menace.
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On Friday, it was that horrible, dreaded day that only comes once a year: The day that my Student Loan Statement arrived. That's one big reason to go 'Arghhhhh'. As I'm not paying it off, it's clocking up a hefty amount of interest every month. Since last year, it's nearly £300 more! My debt is getting increasingly closer to £20k, and I'll not lie to you, I don't like having such a big debt hanging over my head. There's not really a lot I can do about it now though, is there? I sincerely hope that my arty farty degree will pay off some day. It'll have to if I want a house that isn't just a cardboard box at the bottom of my parents' garden.
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To end on a positive note: Just how beautiful are these flowers?
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I've been a bit of a bad blogger recently, haven't I? Apologies. I've been going through a bit of a bad phase of writer's block. Hopefully it'll subside pretty soon.

As the title of this post suggests, my week has contained an abundance of tech goodies and a few lovely freebies thrown in too!

On Monday, I travelled to Leicester to try and get my dodgy iPhone fixed at the Apple Store. I got there a tad late and they told me there was a two hour wait, even though I'd booked an appointment. If you follow me on Twitter, you'll have seen that I went to John Lewis to redeem a voucher that they'd sent me; for a free hot drink and a massive slice of cake.
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I genuinely couldn't finish that cake. It was lovely though. It's definitely worth signing up to the John Lewis loyalty card scheme as they send vouchers like this several times a year. This is the first time that I've actually redeemed it though.

While waiting, I also nipped to the MAC counter in Debenhams. Of course, I ended up buying another new lipstick... Whoops.
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When I got back to the Apple Store, after sitting around for half an hour, they finally looked at my iPhone. They couldn't really work out what was wrong with it, so they just gave me a brand new, FREE iPhone! Not bad, eh?

I even did some baking this week. Insomnia struck, so I did what I do best: Not relaxing and doing practical stuff instead. So, I baked some cookies and even some fairy cakes. They weren't bad either, even if I do say so myself.
©Katiewrites.co.uk
©Katiewrites.co.uk
On Tuesday, Clive the Corsa had his MOT. Now, this was worrying seeing as he's been so poorly recently. But, after a few new tyres, he passed! (I'm still in shock.)
©Katiewrites.co.uk
©Katiewrites.co.uk
On Friday, I got a Chromebook! I've had a lot of trouble with my laptop since last summer, so I finally gave in and got an Acer Google Chromebook. In fact, I'm writing this blog post on it right now!
©Katiewrites.co.uk
I also picked up a pack of jam doughnuts for 35p!! Needless to say, somebody wanted to eat them all. Here he is begging my Mum for a bit. Spoiler: He didn't get any.

Lastly, seeing as I didn't publish a 'This Week' post last week, I didn't get the opportunity to share this lovely photo I took at Carsington Water:
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©Katiewrites.co.uk Easter. Gluttony. Laziness.


This has been such an odd week. I've been lacking motivation so much. There's hardly anything worthy of writing about because I've done so little. But, hopefully it'll subside pretty soon...

Anyway, my lovely parents bought me an Easter egg (pictured above), even though I'm in my twenties. I've been really good and not eaten any of it yet! Surely I deserve a medal or something for such high self-discipline?

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As well as the Easter egg, my parents also kindly bought me some daffodils to brighten things up a bit!
Nothing says 'spring' like these beautiful, bright flowers. 

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As per usual, I've made numerous trips to Starbucks to satisfy the caffeine addiction. That's my week in a nutshell, really. Except, I went shopping on Thursday night. Whilst I was shopping in Derby, I decided to have a nosy at the Cathedral, as I'd heard on the radio that it was going to be turned blue to celebrate Autism Awareness Day. It looks so pretty, doesn't it? I don't think my photo really does it much justice.

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The main reason I did some late-night shopping was the avoid the Leaders' Debate! I only caught the last half an hour or so, but that was more than enough. I don't mind following politics and generally find it quite interesting; but I honestly can't deal with the incessant arguing! They're never going to agree and I already know who I'm voting for, so it serves little purpose for me.

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Friday night was Chinese night! (From The Golden Gate in Belper.) Pictured is the meal, with a big mug of green tea. I had this furry helper with my food... Because dogs like spring rolls and chips too apparently... Who knew?

I know I had chips last week.  It's alright once a week, for two weeks running, right? I promise I'll be healthier next week...

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I spent my Saturday night trying to make a font out of my own handwriting. (Because I know how to party...!) Except, it didn't work. I should've just sat and watched Casualty instead...

Hope you're all having a lovely Easter!

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Oversharing and overeating.


If you read last week's post, you'll know that I'm struggling to get my Masters application to a point where I'm happy with it. Turns out, ex-lecturers are pretty difficult to track down for references too!

At the rate that I'm going, I may never actually get my application finished, but on Monday, I thought I'd better start swotting up anyway. Hence all the books. 

I also found the notepad I used whilst I was on work experience with the BBC last year. Most of the notes above (if you can even see them) were taken when I was answering phone calls from the public and passing them onto the relevant producers. The rest were from writing cues for presenters; which is basically writing down what they have to say. (I still can't quite believe they trusted me to do that!)

Again, whilst taking photos for my blog; on Tuesday, this guy stuck his nose under the lens to get some attention. Such a poser.
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On Thursday, we treated ourselves to some lovely fish and chips from King Street Fish Bar in Belper. I can see why it's voted Chip Shop of the Year by Belper News readers. But, there are only two chip shops in Belper, so... it was always going to be 50/50, wasn't it?
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Just look at them!! That is a small portion (Yes, really!) Needless to say, I couldn't eat all of it.
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And on Friday, I ended up venturing out for a meal with my parents at ASK Italian in Derby (which I'll be writing about soon). I used to go there quite regularly, but haven't been for ages! We tried to take a selfie, but it kind of went wrong...
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It's totally worth going just for the wonderful honeycomb cheesecake.
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Are you feeling hungry now?
Another thing... I feel the need to vent about this. Very sadly, last night, a 16 year old boy was accidentally hit by a train in my hometown. Unfortunately, some felt the need to write on Twitter about how this inconvenienced them, rather than expressing their sadness or sending condolences. This really annoyed me, because there's honestly no need to be that selfish. People like that make me feel misanthropic and disappointed in humankind.

So, seeing as some people can't be decent, I'll say this: My thoughts are with that boy's family, the train driver and the emergency services too. It's awful and terribly sad.

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I feel a bit guilty having neglected my blog for most of this week! Apologies, but you'll understand why if you read on...


I'm becoming an expert procrastinator at the moment. I'm long overdue for submitting my Masters application, but never seem to be happy enough with my personal statement. I'm seriously going to have to bite the bullet and just send it as it is very soon, otherwise I'll miss out. The stress.

Most of this week has consisted of faffing about with said personal statement, stressing out, sleeping very badly, relying on caffeine as a crutch to get me through the day and then napping in the least comfortable places possible. It's all rock n' roll for me... Seeing as I'm still doing the #100HappyDays challenge, I thought I'd show you some of the photos that I've taken over the past few days!

On Wednesday, I ventured out to Derby to do some shopping. I spent ages in Boots ogling the makeup, as per usual, and nipped to Topshop too. And then, obviously, straight to Starbucks to satisfy the caffeine craving. Those of you who read my blog regularly, or follow me on Instagram, will know of my Starbucks addiction. I don't think I can walk past one without venturing in; in search of a caffeine fix.

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We got stuck in a horrid traffic jam on the way out of Derby, and I took this photo of a church that's just there. It's amazing that stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pay much attention to jump out at you when you're crawling along at walking pace. Looks quite pretty, doesn't it?

©Katiewrites.co.uk
©Katiewrites.co.uk

I have been working behind the scenes on my blog, rest assured. I took this photo on Friday when I gained a little furry helper whilst taking photos of the latest Glossybox. (A review'll be up soon!) My dog, Cookie, seems to be creeping into a lot of my blog photos lately. He's obviously really interested.

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Saturday included yet more procrastination, in the form of digging some old photos out. Some of my favourites are on the photo below; (Including a friend and I at our graduation ceremony, Carsington Water and Cookie posing yet again.)

And then I spent my Saturday night looking for pretty fonts. Yes, really... I know how to party!


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Even writing this blog post was a form of procrastination... Whoops.

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